An inside look at some NC environmental justice projects impacted by Trump administration’s EPA cuts
MDC Inc and North Carolina Hispanic Federation – Durham, NC
While they said they can’t comment on any pending litigation, another organization in the Triangle may be looking at a similar fight after its $3 million EPA grant was also canceled.
MDC Inc, a Durham-based nonprofit aimed at advancing economic and environmental equity, has spent months partnering with the local Hispanic Federation to boost Latino participation in Eastern North Carolina’s environmental politics.
The Hispanic Federation’s North Carolina director Lariza Garzón said this initiative combats years of exclusion.
“Historically, Latino communities have not been sitting on the table with decision makers when it comes to environmental issues,” Garzón said.
The $3 million EPA grant was supposed to help fund a project that the two organizations hope will solve this issue.
“The idea really for this project was that we didn’t want leaders and nonprofits who are Latino-led to continue to work in silos. We wanted to make sure that we could create a bridge between them and local and state government,” Garzón said.
