U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Help Yurok Tribe Manage its Natural Resources in Support of Economic Development

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the Yurok Tribe, Klamath, California, to support establishment of an aerial imaging enterprise, Condor Aviation. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This investment is a good example of EDA’s commitment to Indigenous communities, as well as to addressing Equity as one of its top investment priorities. The grant facilitates the acquisition of a fixed-wing single engine aircraft, LiDAR bathymetric laser scanner sensor, and related components for the Tribe’s Airborne LiDAR and Mapping Enterprise Program, Condor Aviation. The equipment will advance the Yurok Tribe’s efforts to collect important topographic and imagery data needed for the effective management of the Tribe’s natural resources. The enterprise will also be available to service the needs of other government agencies in Northern California, and will create new jobs and opportunities for Tribal members in STEM career fields. This EDA grant is expected to create or retain more than 20 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will assist the Yurok Tribe’s resource management programs and will create economic resiliency for the Tribe.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The Economic Development Administration is pleased to partner with the Yurok Tribe to further their efforts to maximize use and management of their natural resources.”

“California is committed to advancing an equitable recovery that lifts up all our communities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This grant will fund new technology and equipment to support the Yurok Tribe’s resource management efforts and bolster economic resilience. We are grateful for the Biden Administration’s commitment to helping our state build back stronger.”

“I am proud to have secured federal funding for EDA investments through the American Rescue Plan that will help the Yurok Tribe manage their historic lands and natural resources,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “I remain committed to working in Congress to bring additional federal resources to Tribal governments like the Yurok Tribe to better address the needs of their communities.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs.

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.