EPA Selects Local Governments from Utah and South Dakota to Receive Over $8.3 Million in Solid Waste Infrastructure Grants

DENVER – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has selected two local governments from Region 8 to receive over $8.3 million in Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants to help improve post-consumer materials management and infrastructure. EPA selected Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District in Utah to receive over $3.4 million and Rapid City in South Dakota to receive over $4.9 million. 

“I am proud to announce Region 8’s selectees of the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants, emphasizing our commitment to fostering local economic growth,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cyrus Western. “By empowering local governments with the resources they need, we are enhancing recycling infrastructure while creating valuable jobs and proving that environmental protection and economic growth go hand-in-hand.” 

“I’m grateful EPA has chosen Rapid City to receive this SWIFR grant funding,” said U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL). “This will help Rapid City continue to provide quality waste management to its residents and keep South Dakota clean.” 

"I am grateful for the EPA’s commitment to empowering local governments like Davis County to lead with innovation in all aspects – even our waste,” said U.S. Representative Blake Moore (R-UT-01). “This grant will help the Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District invest in our community through enhanced compost education and collection, and I look forward to seeing this grant’s positive impact throughout Davis County." 

Rapid City will use the SWIFR grant funding to open a new commercial recycling program and update equipment, which will double recycling rates and improve the quality of materials collected. 

Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District will use the SWIFR grant funding to expand a compost facility, fund curbside organics collection receptacles for local cities and implement new education and outreach activities to increase public participation.  

Rapid City and Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District are among 17 local governments selected to receive funding through the SWIFR grants for political subdivisions program. More than 300 local governments applied for $58 million in grant funds under this program. 

EPA’s SWIFR grant program funds enhancements to local recycling programs and assists waste management authorities in upgrading their systems. This initiative supports economic development in communities across the nation. 

Learn more about SWIFR grants for political subdivisions and the selectees on EPA's SWIFR website.