News Releases from Region 06

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DALLAS – (June 15, 2018) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined other federal partners in announcing technical assistance for six communities, including two in Louisiana, in using local health facilities as a driver for improving health and revitalizing the local economy. The assistance is provided through Healthy Places for Healthy People (HP2), a federal initiative that engages with community leaders and health care partners to create walkable, healthy, economically vibrant downtowns and neighborhoods. HP2 supports the Trump Administration’s Executive Order on Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America.

The City of Bunkie, Move Bunkie Forward, and Bunkie General Hospital are aiming to integrate main street revitalization strategies with health improvement efforts, seeking greater economic stability and improved human health. The Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe is relocating to a new community in Schriever, Louisiana, after being displaced from an area of Louisiana that has experienced coastal land loss. The workshop will help them visualize an environmentally friendly design with access to physical activity, healthy food, and health care.

“EPA is committed to helping communities create healthy, thriving places to live, work, and raise families” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We look forward to working with these local partners on plans that can support revitalization while improving health and protecting the environment.”

During two-day workshops, a team of experts will help each community identify local assets that can be used to support health and economic revitalization. The technical assistance team will also help prepare an implementation plan and help identify potential resources from the participating federal agencies to support implementation.

The other 2018 HP2 community projects include:

Livingston, AL – The City of Livingston and University of West Alabama will collaborate to develop health and wellness initiatives in downtown Livingston, the Sumter County seat, in an effort to improve access to health care and healthy food, provide economic development opportunities, and support downtown revitalization efforts.

Osceola, MO – The West Central