Press Release

U.S. EDA Announces $571,520 in 4 States to Strengthen University-based Economic Growth Initiatives

June 23, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

Universities in AL, KY, MS and TN Receive Funding

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced $571,520 in grants to universities in four states to support the University Center Economic Development Program, a partnership between the federal government and academia that helps make the varied and vast resources of universities available to local communities.

"The Obama Administration strongly supports the job-creating, innovative research and development that takes place at our nation's colleges and universities," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "These EDA grants will help spur innovation and entrepreneurship and create higher-skill, living-wage jobs by helping ideas make it into the marketplace more quickly."

The University Center program provides local government and nonprofit organizations with resources to better analyze the economic needs of local communities.

The grants include:

• $142,880 to Auburn University
• $142,880 to the University of Kentucky
• $142,880 to Mississippi State University
• $142,880 to The University of Tennessee

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.