Montana State University

Description:this Project Will Provide Technical Assistance (e.g., Information, Training, Tools) to Businesses to Help Them Develop and Adopt Source Reduction Practices (also Known as Pollution Prevention (P2)). P2 Means Reducing or Eliminating Pollutants From Entering Any Waste Stream or Otherwise Being Released Into the Environment Prior to Recycling, Treatment, or Disposal. P2 Practices Can Help Businesses Save Money by Reducing Their Resource Use, Expenditures, Waste and Liability Costs, While at the Same Time Reducing Their Environmental Footprint and Helping to Protect Human Health and the Environment. Region 8'S Montana Pollution Prevention Program (MTP2), Housed in the Institute on Ecosystems (IOE) at Montana State University (msu), Has Successfully Filled an Important Role for Training and Technical Assistance in Pollution Prevention (P2) for Montana's Small Businesses for Over 30 Years. to Build Upon Their Accomplishments and Amplify the Reach of Their Programming, the MTP2 Program Will Continue to Partner With the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) and With Last Best Planet (formerly Uncommon Sense), a Leadership Support Program for Businesses Seeking to Operate More Efficiently and Responsibly. New This Proposal, and to Better Provide for the Needs of Our Region's Underserved Communities, MTP2 Will Partner With the Salish Kootenai College (SKC) to Help Bring Awareness to Their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and to Support Their Efforts in Achieving Environmental Justice While Increasing the Number of Tribal Businesses and Students in the MTP2 Program. Funding for This Proposal Will Ensure the Continued Successful Delivery of Targeted Training and Technical Assistance (TA) for Small Businesses in the Food and Beverage (FANDB) Manufacturing and Processing Industries (nea #1), the Fastest Growing Manufacturing Industry in Montana, Through Both the P2 Internship Program and the Sustainable Brewery Certification (#1-2 Below). Funding Will Also Contribute to Maintaining the Core Programs That Have Operated Successfully for Three Decades (3-5 Below): 1) a Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate P2 Internship Program Offering Ta to Fandb Manufacturing and Processing Facilities Statewide by Students at Msu and SKC, a Tribal College Serving the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend D'oreilles Tribes. 2) a Nationally Replicable, Four-level, Environmental Sustainable Brewery Certification Scoring System for the Craft Brewing Industry With Ta and a P2 Self-assessment. 3) Ecostar Leadership Award a Competitive P2 Leadership Award Recognizing and Promoting Montana's Sustainable Businesses' P2 Efforts to Amplify and Promote Their Work. 4) MTP2.ORG an Existing Website That Will Be Maintained to Serve as a P2 Resource for Montana and Beyond. 5) P2 Library a Physical Library of Over 30K Entries for All Things P2 That Will Be Maintained to Offer P2 Resources, Including Best Practices (BPS), Case Studies and More.activities:the Priorities for P2 Technical Assistance (information, Training, and Tools) Align With One or More of the Program's National Emphasis Areas (neas). Funding for This Proposal Will Ensure the Continued Successful Delivery of Targeted Training and Technical Assistance (TA) for Small Businesses in the Food and Beverage (FANDB) Manufacturing and Processing Industries (nea #1), the Fastest Growing Manufacturing Industry in Montana, Through Both the P2 Internship Program and the Sustainable Brewery Certification (#1-2 Below). Funding Will Also Contribute to Maintaining the Core Programs That Have Operated Successfully for Three Decades (3-5 Below): 1) a Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate P2 Internship Program Offering Ta to Fandb Manufacturing and Processing Facilities Statewide by Students at Msu and SKC, a Tribal College Serving the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend D'oreilles Tribes. 2) a Nationally Replicable, Four-level, Environm