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U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $8 Million to Support Economic and Job Growth in Five States

GRANTEES EXPECT PROJECTS TO CREATE MORE THAN 500 JOBS AND GENERATE NEARLY $120 MILLION IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Thursday, September 19, 2013


WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $8 million in grants to support economic development projects in California, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Washington. The projects are expected to create more than 500 jobs and attract nearly $120 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Obama administration is committed to supporting critical infrastructure that supports long-term job growth and economic competitiveness,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grants announced today will help implement infrastructure projects that aim to boost business development and job growth in California, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Washington.”

The EDA investments announced today include:

  • $2 million to the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of California to build parking, an access road, and water infrastructure and foundation pads to support the development of a hotel and marina complex that will boost recreational tourism opportunities in the Lake Havasu and San Bernardino Valley region. The project is expected to create 120 jobs, according to grantee estimates. 

  • $2.6 million to the City of Big Rapids, Michigan, to replace the Baldwin Street Bridge and make other access and water system improvements to support the Big Rapids Industrial Park. The project is expected to create 75 jobs and leverage $4.75 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. 

  • $857,000 to the George County Board of Supervisors of Lucedale, Mississippi, to make critical roadway and water improvements to accommodate the construction of a wood pellet plant that will export to the European market to help them meet renewable energy demand. The project is expected to create 85 jobs and generate $115 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. 

  • $950,000 to the Delaware Nation of Anadarko, Oklahoma, to renovate a former carpet mill and rehabilitate an adjoining rail spur to accommodate the Greentech Technology Center. The new center will support numerous manufacturing businesses and is strategically located to provide easy highway and rail access. The project is expected to help create 150 jobs, according to grantee estimates. 

  • $1.5 million to the Port of Port Angeles, Washington, to help rehabilitate a port terminal that will expand the operating capacity of the Port and support job growth in the ship maintenance and repair industry and associated marine industries. The project is expected to create 80 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
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.