Press Release
U.S. EDA Investment Improves Infrastructure to Serve Rural Arkansas Businesses
August 5, 2010
Contact: Lindsey Pangretic, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $910,000 grant to the city of Prescott, Ark., to make road and water infrastructure improvements to serve transportation and other businesses wishing to locate or expand in the area. The project is expected to create 30 jobs, according to grantee estimates. "Economic growth and development at the local level is essential to our nation's competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "This EDA grant will provide the critical infrastructure needed to serve existing businesses and will help attract new businesses and jobs to Southwest Arkansas." Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said, "I cannot express enough gratitude to the EDA-Austin team for their continued interest and advocacy for Southwest Arkansas. This EDA investment will create immediate job growth for the region and create incentives for future commercial growth. It will assist the city of Prescott by increasing multiple local transportation companies' attractiveness to interstate traffic along the I-30 corridor, as well as increasing infrastructure capacity to make the area attractive for industrial and commercial growth." This project will improve the road leading into the TA Truck/Travel Center. Also included in the project are a new elevated storage tank, and new sewer lift station and force main to replace current lift station. Both the elevated storage tank and lift station to increase capacity.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.