Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500,000 to Upgrade Water Infrastructure to Support Business Growth in Piedmont

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to city of Piedmont, Missouri, to make critical water infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth at a local industrial park. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 30 new jobs.

“We commend the city of Piedmont for working to spur new business opportunities through infrastructure improvements,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Dennis Alvord. “This project provides the city’s Highway 49 Industrial Park with water infrastructure improvements needed to better serve local manufacturing businesses and to attract new enterprises.”

The project will replace a water main that serves the Highway 49 Industrial Park. The new waterline will provide a consistent flow of water to support manufacturing businesses and new industry looking to locate in the area. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission. EDA funds the Ozark Foothills 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.