December 14, 2022 to January 12, 2023
EDA announced 23 investments from December 14, 2022 to January 12, 2023, totaling $12,545,268, which is matched by $12,167,450 in local investments. These investments include the following: (1) $5,675,775 in eight Economic Adjustment Assistance projects 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 that will help create 1,670 jobs and leverage $6,800,000 in private investments; (2) $4,824,493 in two Public Works projects to help communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure that will help create 79 jobs, save 67 jobs, and leverage $5,330,000 in private investments; (3) $140,000 in two Local Technical Assistance projects to strengthen the capacity of local or state organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective economic development programs; and (4) $1,905,000 in 11 Partnership Planning projects to support the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process.
- $5,675,775 in eight Economic Adjustment Assistance projects, matched by $6,816,939 in local investments, as follows:
- $3,000,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $5,391,075 in local investment, to the Western Wyoming Community College District, Rock Springs/Sweetwater County, Wyoming, to support the construction of a Health Science Wing on the main campus of Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. The project includes construction of a new addition and renovation of existing classrooms, which will increase enrollment and completions for the health science programs in response to a demand for skilled healthcare workers in the region. In addition, the project will improve the teaching environments in accordance with accrediting recommendations and requirements. Once completed, the project will bolster job creation, diversify the regional economy, and advance economic resiliency to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 1,500 jobs.
- $725,000, matched by $725,000 in local investment, to the Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa/Wapello County (Project: Centerville/Appanoose County), Iowa, to fund the purchase of equipment for the Indian Hills Community College’s Centerville campus to expand programming and job training for advanced manufacturing, agriculture, construction, healthcare, and transportation jobs. The project will address the local and regional need for pathways to workforce credentials by equipping a new Career and Technical Education wing at the college. Once completed, the project will provide high-quality training for in-demand jobs, increase high paying jobs, advance economic resiliency, and strengthen the regional economy. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 112 jobs.
- $640,994, matched by $200,000 in local investment, to the City of Newport News Department of Development, Newport News/Newport News City, Virginia, to conduct preliminary studies and design for the Seafood Industrial Park in Newport News’ Southeast neighborhood, a designated Opportunity Zone. The project will support necessary preliminary engineering and environmental work, development of a site plan, and facilitation of permitting for the seafood market. In addition, the project will support watermen utilizing the harbor through dredging and dock improvements. Once completed, the project will help the fishing and ship repair industries, increase entrepreneurship, create and retain jobs, and strengthen the regional economy.
- $376,456 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $105,000 in local investment, to the Marshall University Research Corporation, Huntington/Cabell County, West Virginia, to support the operations of the Heartland Intermodal Gateway Facility though the procurement of anchor tenant(s) to help service a community impacted by the declining use of coal in Huntington. Once completed, the project will help the region create new job opportunities to boost economic development, diversify the local economy, and advance economic resiliency. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 58 jobs and leverage $6,800,000 in private investment.
- $344,000 in Assistance to Nuclear Closure Communities, matched by $86,000 in local investment, to the County of West Chester, White Plains/West Chester County, New York, to support the development of an economic adjustment strategy to address the closure of the Indian Point Energy Center nuclear power plant in White Plains. The project will incorporate research, stakeholder engagement, and the development of a plan, strategies, and description of implementation projects to support the growth of the biosciences sector, encompassing four priorities: talent pipeline and workforce development, site development, financing, and supply chain expansion. Once completed, the project will provide employment opportunities, spur private investment, and strengthen the regional economy.
- $339,456, matched by $84,864 in local investment, to the Town of Narragansett/Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Narragansett/Washington County, Illinois, to support the Town of Narragansett with developing a wastewater facility expansion study, to evaluate and provide the recommended improvements required for expanding wastewater treatment capacity at Narragansett's Scarborough Treatment Facility in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Establishing a wastewater treatment facility that can service more processing capacity will increase regional and national food security and create a more sustainable seafood supply chain. The state's lack of wastewater processing capacity has led to processors exporting squid internationally for processing. Re-capturing some of the processing capacity will enhance the overall integrity of the food supply chain, reduce dependency on imported processed seafood, re-shore processing jobs, and chart a path toward a less carbon-intensive supply chain. Once completed, the project will help bolster job creation and retention, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
- $125,000, matched by $125,000 in local investment, to the Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation and Development, Rock Falls/Whiteside County (Project: Rochelle/Ogle County), Illinois, to support the development of the Steward and Caron Roads Industrial Corridor strategic plan to help the Blackhawk Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council better understand the potential for industrial job growth along a critical corridor from the city of Rochelle to the Village of Seward in Illinois. Despite several closures and layoffs among industrial firms located along the corridor, redevelopment is underway, and new economic activity is driving regional job creation. The study will ensure that well-considered development helps maximize the corridor’s potential as a regional industrial and manufacturing center. Once completed, the strategy will include an inventory of existing conditions, a market analysis, future-state planning, and a corridor site plan to help local leaders fully-utilize this important economic asset, which will help stabilize the regional economy.
- $125,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $100,000 in local investment, to the Region VII Planning and Development Council, Buckhannon/Upshur County, West Virginia, to support the Region VII Planning and Development Council, in partnership with the Corridor H Authority, with completing a study to focus on the opportunities for future development along Corridor H in the West Virginia counties of Barbour, Grant, Hardy, Lewis, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur. The goal of the study is to take a proactive approach to capture economic opportunities by identifying developable sites for commercial and industrial development. In addition, the study will help identify gaps in the infrastructure needed to create marketable and site-ready land. Once completed, the project will help support job retention, create new opportunities, and attract private investment to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry.
- $4,824,493 in two Public Works projects, matched by $3,565,509 in local investments, as follows:
- $2,427,825, matched by $2,967,342 in local investment, to the City of Mahoning, Youngstown/Mahoning County (Project: North Jackson/Mahoning County), Ohio, to support upgrades to the Mahoning Avenue Industrial Corridor to enhance critical roadway infrastructure of the primary commercial/industrial zone in the Jackson Township of rural northwest Mahoning County, Ohio. The project will allow the safe and efficient transport of goods and services in the Youngstown-Warren area and provide reliable transportation connectivity to national and global markets via adjacent Interstate 76 and the Ohio Turnpike (I-80), including two national rail lines running through (Norfolk Southern) and near (CSX) the project area. Once completed, the project will promote job growth, retain jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 75 jobs, save 67 jobs, and leverage $5,000,000 in private investment.
- $2,396,668, matched by $598,167 in local investment, to the Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation/City of Peekskill, Inc, Peekskill/Worchester County, New York, to support the Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation with renovating a former 8,000 square foot fire station for adaptive reuse as the Peekskill Commercial Kitchen Food Incubator to facilitate start-up and expanding food businesses in Westchester County, New York. The project will create five licensed fully complying commercial kitchens with storage and related support auxiliary operations available for lease to food entrepreneurs. The project will include all building, HVAC, and other mechanical requirements as well as parking and outdoor site improvements. Once completed, the project will help create jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 4 jobs and leverage $3,300 in private investment.
- $140,000 in two Local Technical Assistance projects, matched by $140,000 as follows:
- $70,000, matched by $70,000 in local investment, to the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, Saluda/Middlesex County, Virginia, to fund the Economic Development Technical Assistance Program to support the continued development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region served by the Middle Peninsula District Commission, which comprises the counties of Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, and Middlesex; and the towns of Tappahannock, Urbanna, and West Point. The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
- $70,000, matched by $70,000 in local investment, to the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Front Royal/Warren County, Virginia, to support the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission Economic Development District with the continued development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region, which comprises the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren; the City of Winchester; and the Towns of Front Royal, Luray, Middletown, Stephens City, and Strasburg. The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
- $1,905,000 in 11 Partnership Planning projects, matched by $1,645,002 in local investments, to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
- Kankakee-Iroquois RPC, Monon/White County, IN ($210,000)
- Western Illinois Regional Council, Macomb/McDonough County, IL ($70,000)
- West Michigan Shoreline RDC, Muskegon/Muskegon County, MI ($210,000)
- North Olympic Peninsula RC&DC, Port Angeles/Clallam County, WA ($210,000)
- Benton-Franklin COG, Richland/Benton County, WA ($225,000)
- Central New York RP&DB, Syracuse/Onondaga County, NY ($70,000)
- Region IV PDC, Summerville/Nicholas County, WV ($70,000)
- Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Springfield/Hampden County, MA ($210,000)
- Treasure Coast RPC, Stuart/Martin County, FL ($210,000)
- East Central Florida RPC, Orlando/Orange County, FL ($210,000)
- Northeast Florida RC, Jacksonville/Duval County, FL ($210,000)