Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.1 Million to Make Water Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Support Dairy Processing and Manufacturing Businesses in Coopersville, Michigan
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
January 18, 2018
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.1 million grant to the city of Coopersville, Michigan, to make critical water infrastructure improvements required to support the region’s developing dairy processing industry and manufacturing businesses. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 70 jobs and generate $54 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration has recognized the challenges facing countless American communities with an urgent need to fix and upgrade their infrastructure,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Due to the action of those in Coopersville, this project will help provide local businesses with further opportunities to grow, creating new jobs in the community.”
“This important initiative will improve water access for residents of northeast Ottawa County while providing a much needed upgrade to infrastructure so local agribusiness can expand, create jobs, and grow West Michigan’s economy,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga.
This project will upgrade the municipality-owned water system to increase water capacity and reliability to support dairy processing as well as manufacturing industries. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission. EDA funds the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.
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.