U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Roadway Construction to Support Business Development in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to St. Bernard Parish Government, Chalmette, Louisiana, to build a road to connect the St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District and a local highway. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The grant will provide improved access to nearby businesses and a hospital, encouraging business expansion and growth. The EDA grant will be matched with $1.8 million in local funds and is expected to create 195 jobs, retain 390 jobs, and generate $15 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a stronger America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will play an important role in supporting new and existing businesses in St. Bernard Parish, creating a strong, diverse regional economy.”

“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 EDA investment will increase accessibility for businesses, residents, and emergency services in St. Bernard Parish, encouraging new development and expansion of existing businesses.”

“Louisiana is poised to see true growth and success thanks to the commitment of President Biden and our federal partners to invest in infrastructure and jobs,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “This new connector will support port activity and stimulate economic development, ultimately creating more opportunities for residents of St. Bernard Parish and the region.”

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.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (NORPC). EDA funds NORPC 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.

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.