U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Establish an Environmental Center in Davidson County, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to Davidson County, North Carolina, to help establish a new interpretive environmental center and provide related water and parking infrastructure to support tourism growth. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will boost the local tourism industry by bringing new visitors to the city, its businesses, and attractions. This EDA grant will be matched with $327,620 in local funds and is expected to create 40 jobs and generate $79 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivers federal resources to communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from the pandemic, but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This project will boost tourism and outdoor recreation in Davidson County while providing economic stability for the region.”

“The travel and tourism industry is an important part of many local economies across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment in Davidson County is an excellent opportunity to leverage a regional asset and build greater economic resiliency in the region’s growing outdoor recreation and tourism industry.”

“The tourism industry continues to be an economic engine for our state, and this funding will create a new environmental center that will bring even more visitors to Davidson County,” said Governor Roy Cooper.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC). EDA funds PTRC 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 $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.