U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $800,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Develop and Implement Plans to Increase Economic Opportunities in Corpus Christi, Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $800,000 grant to the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, Corpus Christi, Texas, to create a Workforce and Economic Development program to support economic development in the region. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide targeted technical assistance to counties in the region to support economic development and workforce development projects, recognizing that workforce development is a key part of any local economic development strategy. This EDA grant will be matched with $200,000 in local funds and is expected to create 619 jobs and generate $20 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“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 investment provides technical assistance to counties in the Coastal Bend region to identify opportunities to create a resilient, robust regional economy and workforce.”

“The Economic Development Administration’s grant to Corpus Christi will help boost the local economy and create hundreds of jobs for hardworking Texans as we unleash the full might of our state's economy,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This investment into the Coastal Bend will provide economic development resources and assistance to the region as we continue to strengthen and expand the local economy, helping to ensure that the community continues to thrive.”

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. 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.