January 20 - February 2, 2023

EDA announced 14 investments from January 20-February 2, 2023, totaling $7,985,465, which is matched by $4,460,919 in local investments. These investments include the following: (1) $3,986,987 in three 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 530 jobs, save 106 jobs, and leverage $617,500,000 in private investments; (2) $2,108,478 in two Public Works projects to help communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure that will help create 556 jobs, save 31 jobs, and leverage $32,075,000 in private investments; and (3) $1,890,000 in nine Partnership Planning projects to support the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process.

• $3,986,987 in three Economic Adjustment Assistance projects, matched by $997,872 in local investments, as follows:
  • $2,288,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $572,000 in local investment, to the Preston County Public Service District #4, Bruceton Mills/Preston County, West Virginia, to support the Preston County Public Service District #4 with increasing its water supply in the northern area of Preston County to help with recovery efforts from a local coal plant closure in West Virginia. The project will serve the Federal Correctional Complex, Northpointe Business and Industry Park, and several major manufacturers including Allegheny Wood Products, Interstate Hardwoods, Grant County Mulch, Pioneer Conveyor, Spirit Energy, Carpenter Technology, and Prodigi. Once completed, the project will save and create jobs, increase economic resiliency, and spur private investment to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 60 jobs, save 86 jobs, and leverage $615,000,000 in private investment.
  • $1,150,987 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $288,872 in local investment, to the BridgeValley Community and Technical College, South Charleston/Kanawha County, West Virginia, to support the establishment of the green technology job training program to serve a new electric vehicle manufacturer in South Charleston. The project will provide the supplies, equipment, salaries, consulting services, and travel to establish the industry driven training program. Once completed, the project will help create jobs, advance economic resiliency, and attract private investment to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 450 jobs and leverage $2,500,000 in private investment.
  • $548,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $137,000 in local investment, to the Southern Appalachian Labor School, Kincaid/Fayette County, Wyoming, to support the implementation of the Coalfields Workforce Construction Training program, to provide workforce training in a region hit hardest by the downturn in the coal industry and the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will help the region prepare for upward mobility and provide new certifications for those who have been displaced from the workforce or are positioned for re-entry into specialty trade fields such as plumbing, electrician, or HVAC technician. Once completed, the project will create and retain jobs, boost economic development, diversify the local economy, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 20 jobs and save 20 jobs.
• $2,108,478 in two Public Works projects, matched by $2,160,547 in local investments, as follows:
  • $1,149,518, matched by $1,919,507 in local investment, to the City of North Wildwood, Wildwood/Cape May County, New Jersey, to support the replacement of approximately 500 feet of the city’s deteriorated and unsafe boardwalk from 16th to 18th Avenue in Cape May County. The project includes boardwalk replacement, electrical improvements, lighting fixtures, ADA compliant access ramps and stairs, ADA compliant walkways and beach access, aluminum railings and safety improvements. In addition, the project will create a stable right-of-way capable of supporting emergency vehicles, which will provide a level of public safety. Once completed, the project will bolster job creation, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 520 jobs and leverage $11,075,000 in private investment.
  • $958,960, matched by $241,040 in local investment, to Henry County/Henry County Public Service Authority, Martinsville/Henry County, Virginia, to fund the construction of a pump station, sewer line, and other improvements to increase water and sewer system capacity and support the expansion of a local lumber manufacturer in Henry County, Virginia. The project will make public sewer service available to approximately 14 potential new commercial customers while expanding opportunities for business creation in the area. Once completed, the project will create and save jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 36 jobs, save 31 jobs, and leverage $21,000,000 in private investment.
• $1,890,000 in nine Partnership Planning projects, matched by $1,302,500 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.
  • West Central WI RPC, Eau Claire/Eau County, WI ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Northwest RPC, Spooner/Washburn County, WI ($210,000/$210,000)
  • North Delta P&DD, Inc., Batesville/Panola County, MS ($210,000/$52,500)
  • Central Alabama RP&DC, Montgomery/Montgomery County, AL ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Apalachee RPC, Tallahassee/Leon County, FL ($210,000/$90,000)
  • Southwest Florida RPC, Cape Coral/Lee County, FL ($210,000/$90,000)
  • Northwest AL CLG, Muscle Shoals/Colbert County, AL, ($210,000/$140,000)
  • Southeast AL RP&DC, Dothan/Houston County, AL ($210,000/$90,000)
  • Southwestern NC P&EDC, Sylva/Jackson County, NC ($210,000/$210,000)