U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.7 Million for Water Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Businesses in Winona, Mississippi

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.7 million grant to the city of Winona, Mississippi, for the installation of a 250,000-gallon water tank, creating economic resiliency while facilitating job creation and retention. The EDA grant, to be matched with $1.2 million in other federal, state, and local investment, is expected to create 15 jobs and generate $8 million in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to supporting communities as they develop safe and resilient infrastructure to serve businesses and create American jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will enhance water infrastructure in the city of Winona, supporting economic growth and job creation in the region.”

“Flooding in 2019 caused severe infrastructure damage to the region, including local water treatment and three area bridges,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA plays an important role in supporting locally-driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans, and this investment will ensure the local economy continues to thrive in the event of future flooding.”

“This major investment in the City of Winona is worth celebrating,” said Senator Roger Wicker. “Investments in water infrastructure have a direct impact on quality of life in a community and are critical for attracting and retaining job creators.”

“Communities need resilient and reliable water infrastructure for quality of life and economic growth,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. “I’m pleased this EDA contribution toward shoring up the water infrastructure in Winona will result in better service for residents, job creation, and better preparedness for future floods.”

“President Biden, along with the EDA, has offered this municipality much needed assistance,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02). “Severe weather has constantly afflicted the Winona community. Hopefully, these funds will rebuild and restrengthen their water infrastructure far beyond where it should be.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central Planning and Development District (NPCDD). EDA funds NCPDD to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) 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 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.