Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million to Support Commercial Fishing Sector in St. Paul Island
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
October 5, 2017
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, St. Paul, Alaska, to help build a vessel repair and marine supply store facility that will support the region’s commercial fishing sector. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 73 jobs, retain 135 jobs, and generate $22.6 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration is committed to helping local leaders build on the economic and geographic strengths of their communities to boost job growth,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Thanks to their diligent work, the vessel repair facility and supply store in St. Paul will provide the infrastructure that local commercial seafood industry requires to further develop and thrive.”
St. Paul Island’s economy is based on fishing and seafood processing. This project expands the commercial fisheries beyond crab and locally caught halibut and benefits the local fishing fleets and the seafood industry.
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.