The Environmental Justice, or EJ, subcommittee has a mission to “explore how SBEAPs/SBOs can address EJ concerns in their states through small business assistance.” The subcommittee meets virtually on the second Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. ET. Interested in getting involved? Contact Lisa Ashenbrenner Hunt, subcommittee chair, for more information. 

The U.S. EPA defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

SBEAPs/SBOs provide on-the-ground assistance to small businesses, many of which may be located in communities with EJ concerns and may be owned by and employ members of those communities. It is essential that small businesses understand and comply with environmental regulations and reduce pollution, especially in overburdened communities. This subcommittee looks for ways that small business assistance providers can integrate a focus on EJ into their everyday work to reduce the environmental burden on disadvantaged communities and engage impacted populations in environmental conversations. 

Learn about environmental justice 

• 2022 EPA Roots Practice of EJ for Small Business with a Nail Salon presentation (PDF)
• New Hampshire SBDC Inclusivity Project / Community Navigator presentation
• 2022 National SBEAP Annual Training: Environmental Justice session
• 2022 National SBEAP Annual Training: EPA Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives

Environmental Justice Subcommittee meeting records 

• 2022 Environmental Justice Subcommittee Meeting minutes
• 2021 Environmental Justice Subcommittee Meeting minutes

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) involvement (more info coming soon) 

Explore EJ resources for SBEAPs/SBOs (more info coming soon) 

• Case studies 
• Other assistance providers
  • Community Navigators
  • Environmental Finance Centers
  • Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers
• Title VI Civil Rights Act compliance
• Translations
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Regional EPA EJ contacts