U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support the Growth of the Agricultural Sector in Lapeer County, Michigan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the Lapeer County Road Commission, Lapeer, Michigan, for infrastructure upgrades on Shaw Road in Goodland Township that will support the region’s industrial and large-scale, farming operations. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will allow for increased commercial vehicle capacity in support of business expansion and economic resilience on a critical access route to the Detroit area. The EDA investment will be matched with $335,882 in local funds and is expected to create 75 jobs, retain 226 jobs and generate $6 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will strengthen the food supply chain in Southeast Michigan and enhance business capacity in the region, helping to boost U.S. competitiveness.”

“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 project delivers important infrastructure upgrades in Lapeer County that support the critical agricultural sector, while also building economic resiliency in the region for decades to come.”

“This $1.3 million investment in Lapeer County’s agriculture sector will support good-paying jobs, boost the region’s economy, and help Michigan continue growing world-class produce to feed the world,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The bipartisan state budget I recently signed, also makes a game-changing investment in food and agriculture economic development, empowering local small businesses and building on this grant. I will work with anyone to grow Michigan’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and invest in every region of our state.”

“Michigan’s robust agricultural sector plays an important role in supporting local economies across our state and region,” said Senator Gary Peters. “That’s why I was proud to help secure this funding, which will support needed upgrades to Shaw Road in Goodland Township and bolster critical food supply chains to Southeast Michigan. This will not only create jobs for Michiganders but ensure farmers throughout the region can safely and efficiently distribute their products.”

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.