U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Construct a Water Tower to Support Growing Industrial Park in Tonganoxie, Kansas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the city of Tonganoxie, Kansas, to construct a water tower. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide water infrastructure to support the expansion of the Tonganoxie Business Park to attract new businesses, including a pet food manufacturing facility and a concrete paving stone manufacturing facility, which will bring dozens of good-paying jobs to the community. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.5 million in local funds and is expected to create 110 jobs and generate $355 million in private investment.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build back better from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help Tonganoxie attract new businesses to diversify and build a more resilient local economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration partners with local communities to support economic growth in the wake of the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The new water tower in Tonganoxie will provide increased water storage capacity to support a growing industrial park, bringing good-paying jobs to the local community.”

“Investing in critical water infrastructure is key to strengthening our local economies and improving quality of life for Kansans,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This investment will help us recruit and expand businesses, create new job opportunities, and provide economic growth for the Tonganoxie community.”

“Supporting infrastructure advancements and tools to attract new businesses is vital to the success of our great state, and I applaud the Department of Commerce’s meaningful investment in the Tonganoxie community,” said Senator Roger Marshall. “These dollars will support the development of new businesses and creation of over 100 jobs, resulting in a stronger local economy and a brighter future for the state of Kansas.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Mid-America Regional Planning Council (MARC). EDA funds MARC 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 under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) mission 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 economically distressed communities to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.