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Technitrain program
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Email to friend| ARRA funds extend reach of RCAP's regular Technitrain program |
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In spring 2010, RCAP received a $5 million grant of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, the same agency that has provided RCAP with an annual grant for its ongoing Technitrain program that offers technical assistance and training to small, rural communities nationwide. The Technitrain ARRA program was an 18-month-long initiative that started on May 1, 2010, and that used the economic stimulus funds to provide additional help to water and wastewater systems in rural communities through on-site technical assistance and training and publications. Rural Development and the Recovery Act: Working For Rural Communities A report on how the agency's distribution of loan and grant funds provided to the agency through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) has helped the nation's rural residents The link above to the report takes you to a large PDF document. |
Funded by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program at a level of $7 million annually, the “Technitrain” program helps to protect public health and foster economic development in targeted rural communities throughout the United States and its territories by providing onsite, community-specific technical assistance and training that:
- identifies and evaluates solutions to water and waste disposal problems
- assists communities in preparing funding applications for their water and waste projects
- improves operation and maintenance of existing water and waste-disposal facilities
This program is part of RCAP’s overall mission of working with small, rural communities to increase local capacity. With an increased ability to tackle their own challenges, communities can better manage their assets, maintain compliance with state and federal water and wastewater regulations, work toward sustainable operations, and adhere to USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) loan and grant procedures and requirements before, during, and after a construction project.
The assistance provided through the Technitrain program enables community leaders to make responsible decisions on matters such as the appropriate type of facility, equitable and realistic user fees, long-term management, and capital-expenditure needs.
The program’s technical assistance and training are targeted to RUS Water and Waste Disposal Program-eligible communities. Many operate facilities that are out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act or Clean Water Act. Communities with fewer than 3,300 residents receive priority consideration.
RCAP technical assistance often focuses on facilities development and management and finance. RCAP staff also assist communities in completing vulnerability assessments and emergency-response plans. RCAP technical assistance providers help communities access millions of dollars in local, state and federal funding for their projects.
RCAP staff also conduct formal trainings with community officials, such as system boards of directors, managers, financial and clerical staff, and operators. Other capacity-building takes place when RCAP technical assistance providers attend board meetings and share tools.
The program’s goals and objectives for fiscal year 2010:
RCAP will provide the following technical assistance and training:
- Assist 800 projects or systems, which are selected in conjunction with state USDA Rural Development offices.
- Provide 100 trainings to at least 1,500 utility board members, managers, operators, and/or clerks.
- Assist in completing 100 vulnerability assessments and 100 emergency response plans.
As a result of this assistance:
- 50 systems determined by USDA Rural Development to be financially unsustainable will achieve sustainability.
- 50 systems out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act or Clean Water Act will be brought into compliance.
- 80 systems will secure $80 million in federal (including USDA-RD), state, and other funding for new systems, system replacement, and other facilities improvements.
The Technitrain program is managed by Ari Neumann, Director of Policy Development and Applied Research.
