Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million to Help Enhance Critical Infrastructure and Disaster Response Services for the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, Okemah, Oklahoma, to support economic development and diversification efforts within the tribal area, as well as providing necessary infrastructure for disaster response. The EDA grant is expected to create 75 jobs, retain 45 jobs, and spur $10 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting disaster preparedness and economic development resiliency efforts in Native American communities,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will provide the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town with the resources needed to enhance infrastructure and create jobs, as well as to make the region’s economy more resilient in the face of future natural disasters.”

“This investment will help to develop and build high-performance and robust infrastructure and buildings that will provide direct services to tribal citizens, including disaster response assistance,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This investment will aid in the construction of new facilities including a social services facility, outdoor pavilion, and water and sewer infrastructure.”

“This EDA grant of $3 million will go a long ways for the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town,” said Senator Jim Inhofe. “I am proud to see the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to invest in Oklahoma—in this case this funding will allow the community to improve infrastructure and enable job growth. This funding will also go towards response services in the aftermath of future disasters. This is welcome news for Oklahoma.”

“This is great news for the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). “The EDA grant will create 75 jobs in the community, attract new private investment to the area, and improve vital infrastructure needed to respond to natural disasters. I applaud the Trump Administration for investing in Native American communities.”

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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.