April 12 - 16, 2021

EDA announced 15 investments from April 12-16, 2021, totaling $18,042,301, which is matched by $7,933,429 in local investments. These investments include the following: (1) $16,469,793 in 12 Economic Adjustment Assistance-COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Projects to help alleviate sudden and severe economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which includes nine projects for $15,147,793 that will help create 4,840 jobs, save 4,160,000 jobs, and leverage $1,030,850,000 in private investments; (2) $228,508 in one Economic Adjustment Assistance project to help communities design and implement strategies to adjust or bring about change to their economy in response to structural damage to their underlying economic base; and (3) $1,350,000 in two Public Works projects to help communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure that will help create 345 jobs, save 345 jobs, and leverage $106,600,000 in private investments.

• $16,469,793 in 12 Economic Adjustment Assistance-COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency Projects, matched by $5,880,963 in local investments, as follows:
  • $3,500,000, matched by $2,583,594 in local investment, to the Texas State Technical College-Waco, Waco/McLennan County, Texas, to support the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Waco with renovating an existing building to house their Instrumentation, Electrical Power & Controls, Biomedical Equipment and Robotics workforce training programs in McLennan County, Texas. The project will allow the TSTC the ability to train students in person, while observing social distancing guidance, and providing new technology that will allow for distance learning as needed. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a pipeline of skilled workers to benefit the growing industries needs of local employers, which will provide access to higher-wage jobs, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 70 jobs.
  • $3,282,798, matched by $1,036,683 in local investment, to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Lowell/Middlesex County, Massachusetts, to support the University of Massachusetts- Lowell with establishing the MERT 2.0 project to address Recovery & Resilience by strengthening the domestic supply chain in Massachusetts and the Northeast region for manufacturing personal protective equipment, medical devices such as ventilators, and medical test kits. The MERT 2.0 project will assist companies that pivoted to respond to COVID-19 with establishing longer-term product lines. In addition, the MERT 2.0 project will support Workforce Development & Manufacturing through development of training and curriculum related to this supply chain. This includes hands-on training in areas such as manufacturing of medical grade textile products (e.g., gowns and masks), additive manufacturing and medical plastics manufacturing of test swabs and ventilator parts, materials, and product testing, regulatory, and product design. Once completed, the project will create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 400 jobs, save 400 jobs, and leverage $1,000,000 in private investment.
  • $3,000,000, matched by $750,000 in local investment, to the City of Martinsville, Martinsville/Henry County, Virginia, to fund the replacement of approximately 5,700 LF of deteriorated sewer with 36" corrugated metal pipe with a bituminous liner between Jones Creek and an abandoned Norfolk Southern rail junction with appurtenances in Martinsville City, Virginia. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create the ability for new locations or expansions within six Opportunity Zones, create and retain jobs, attract private investments, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 400 jobs, save 3,500 jobs, and leverage $25,000,000 in private investment.
  • $1,200,000, matched by $300,000 in local investment, to the City of Wilson, Wilson/Wilson County, North Carolina, to support the City of Wilson with extending Greenlight's gigabit fiber network further into Wilson County by deploying it into, throughout, and around the downtowns of four southern Wilson County towns--Black Creek, Lucama, Saratoga and Stantonsburg, and connect one large Agribusiness operation located outside Saratoga. This project will help the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing the critical fiber network infrastructure to allow for long-lasting economic resiliency. Once completed, the project will assist small businesses with increasing sales, which will create higher paying jobs, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 39 jobs.
  • $979,837, matched by $72,494 in local investment, to the College of Micronesia, Ponape/Federated States of Micronesia (Project: Pohnpei/Federated States of Micronesia), to support the College of Micronesia-FSM with increasing the region’s agricultural production by establishing an entrepreneurship development program in Pohnpei, Micronesia. The project will include the construction of four hydroponic greenhouses, conduct dozens of educational workshops, and provide start-up support through consultation and counseling. Once completed, the project will enhance export ability, educate farmers, and foster partnerships to attain food security, which will help the region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, increase employment opportunities, retain jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 33 jobs, save 25 jobs, and leverage $2,000,000 in private investment.
  • $960,000, matched by $240,000 in local investment, to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Richmond, Virginia, to support the Virginia Economic Development Partnership with hiring a team of consultants with deep strategy and operations expertise to collaborate with local and regional economic development organizations, and other state leaders in developing a plan that will catalyze growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Richmond City, Virginia. Consultants will identify industries and subindustries that are exports-focused and have high job multipliers to maximize positive economic ripple effects and develop resilient local economies across Virginia. In addition, the consultants will provide a list of specific companies that are the top candidates to invest in the state from aboard. Once established, the project will benefit a nearby Opportunity Zone, support state and regional economic developers’ efforts to identify opportunities to expand critical operations for businesses, attract businesses that seek to update their supply chains, catalyze on fast-growing industry clusters, bolster job creation, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 3,750 jobs and leverage $1,000,000,000 ($1 billion) in private investment.
  • $880,640, matched by $220,160 in local investment, to the Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning, Montrose/Montrose County, Colorado, to support the Region 10 League for Economic Assistance and Planning with addressing the local and regional need for cost-competitive, high-speed, and reliable broadband internet access in Montrose County, Colorado. The project will include the purchase of Indefeasible Right of Use agreements and network equipment for fiber-optic transport, Ethernet switching, and other related equipment to connect Grand Junction, Colorado, to regen points in Rifle, Colorado, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in Garfield County to connect to Internet supply point of presence in Denver. In addition, the project will grow the regional fiber network established by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments Economic Development District, reduce supply chain and transport cost, increase network redundancy and resiliency, and increase economic competitiveness within the region post the COVID-19 pandemic. Once completed, the project will create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 100 jobs, save 100 jobs, and leverage $2,500,000 in private investment.
  • $824,000, matched by $230,945 in local investment, to the National World War II Museum, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, to support the National World War II Museum, Inc., with constructing campus improvements for the development of "Expressions of America", a cinematic nighttime sound and light experience in Orleans County, Louisiana. The project will allow for on-site lighting structures, grading and drainage improvements, installation of project video, and audio systems "surface pavers and installation, and associated appurtenances. Once completed, the project will create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 63 jobs, save 7 jobs, and leverage $350,000 in private investment.
  • $750,000, matched by $228,863 in local investment, to the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce, Austin/Travis County, Texas, to support the Texas Association of Business with addressing the state’s economic development needs by conducting a business-focused look at tools and strategies that can position the state and its regions for growth. The project will benefit nearby Opportunity Zones and will seek to mitigate the challenges facing Texas businesses and highlight the opportunities for growth in strategic sectors. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic and will focus on reshoring, building and rebuilding supply chains, and leveraging business intelligence from across the state, which will advance economic resiliency, create jobs, and directly support small and mid-sized businesses.
  • $520,518, matched by $97,235 in local investment, to the Chugach Regional Resources Commission, Anchorage/Anchorage County, Alaska, to support the Chugach Regional Resources Commission with developing a commercial kelp farming industry in Prince William Sound by creating kelp seed hatchery capacity, conducting baseline kelp growing research at seven farm test sites, training project partners, and providing processors products for market development in Valdez Cordova County, Alaska. The project will establish a fully integrated kelp industry that benefits the communities of Chenega, Tatitlek, Whittier, Valdez, and Cordova. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 85 jobs and save 128 jobs.
  • $452,000, matched by $120,989 in local investment, to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Madison/Dane County, Wisconsin, to support the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) launch its Rebuilding Economic Vibrancy After a Major Pandemic In Wisconsin (REVAMP In Wisconsin) initiative. The initiative will be led by a team of dedicated recovery coordinators, who will coordinate targeted economic development activities throughout the state in response to the COVID-19 pandemic-related dislocations. Concurrently, the coordinators will help lead a strategic planning process that will result in the state's Ethnically-Diverse Business Community COVID-19 Response Assessment and Report. The report will help state and local leaders understand the disparate impacts of COVID-19 within the ethnically-diverse business community, and develop targeted responses to ensure the state’s economy is inclusive and resilient in the face of future economic shocks. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region
  • $120,000, with no local match, to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, Gay Head/Dukes County, Massachusetts, to support the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah in their efforts to diversify their regional economy beyond tourism in the wake of COVID-19. Through data collection and assessment, development of alternatives, and a cost benefit analysis, the Tribe will prepare a feasibility study report to aid in determining necessary upgrades and expansion work for the existing wastewater treatment plant and to produce a timeline for implementing the recommended economic development strategy. Once completed, the project will help the region diversify the existing economy, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency in an area severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• $222,508 in one Economic Adjustment Assistance Project, matched by $55,627 in local investment, as follows:
  • $222,508 in 2019 Disaster Supplemental funding, matched by $55,627 in local investment, to the City of Blue Lake, Blue Lake/Humboldt County, California, to fund an economic and preliminary engineering analysis for the development of an RV park and campground and other recreation focused amenities in Blue Lake, California. The City has experienced major downturns in resource-based economies, specifically in the timber and fishing industries and the project will help to re-purpose a 20-acre parcel of land to create an economic climate that is resilient, which will attract private investment, create jobs and support secondary business development throughout the region.
• $1,350,000 in two Public Works projects, matched by $1,996,839 in local investments, as follows:
  • $1,000,000, matched by $1,646,839 in local investment, to the County of Monona, Onawa/Monona County, Iowa, to support the County of Monona with addressing the local and regional need for increased local access to a barge port terminal by providing resilient critical infrastructure leading up to the terminal in Monona County, Iowa. The project will allow farmers and agri-businesses to have better access to goods transportation and markets, provide necessary infrastructure for future businesses who can locate near the port facility, and support local and job creation opportunities. Once completed, the project will assist the region with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic, create and retain jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 30 jobs and leverage $11,500,000 in private investment.
  • $350,000, matched by $350,000 in local investment, to the Town of Stoughton, Stoughton/Norfolk County, Massachusetts, to support the installation of a centralized municipal pump station that will provide critical infrastructure to a commercial and industrial corridor in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The region is currently without sewer infrastructure and operate with septic systems. The installation of the sewer pump station will allow for building revitalization and expansions that will provide increased opportunity for the region's workforce and support the creation of new jobs, which will advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 315 jobs, save 345 jobs, and leverage $95,100,000 in private investment.