U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Boost Workforce Development Efforts in Amarillo, Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Amarillo, Texas, to support the purchase and renovation of a workforce development center. This EDA grant will be matched with $551,187 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our workforce has the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs that our businesses need to succeed,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission will improve access to workforce development services, including job search support, education allowances and other programs designed to prepare workers for high-quality jobs.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will allow the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission to better serve low-income and unemployed or underemployed residents in job searches as well as provide education allowances, work placements, and other services and training necessary to support work readiness.”

“Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for supporting workforce development in Amarillo,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission plays a vital role in the region’s continued economic success, and this grant will build upon our ongoing efforts to ensure the Lone Star States remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“While Texans persevere as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on our state, we must take steps to ensure that our communities are equipped to weather the storm,” said Senator John Cornyn. “I applaud this announcement and will continue to do everything I can to make economic growth in Amarillo a high priority.”

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.