U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support the Food Processing Industry in Hart, Michigan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.9 million grant to the city of Hart, Michigan, for wastewater treatment upgrades to support the region’s food processing industry cluster. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will expand wastewater treatment capacity to allow local fruit and vegetable processors to expand their operations and attract new businesses to the area. This EDA grant will be matched with $2.9 million in local funds and is expected to create 75 jobs, retain 425 jobs and generate $2 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 Raimondo. “This EDA investment will strengthen the food processing industry in Hart, Michigan, that will help build a stronger, more robust regional economy and boost U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support locally-driven strategies to boost business recovery efforts in West Michigan,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “Critical infrastructure upgrades in Hart, Michigan, will give the region a competitive advantage to create new jobs, expand the food processing sector and attract private investment, making the local economy more resilient and equipped to overcome future economic disruptions.”

“Today’s investment in Hart, Michigan’s water infrastructure will create and retain 500 jobs, spur local small business growth, and build on the recent, bipartisan budget I just signed,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Investing in our infrastructure is critical to building communities that are conducive to business growth, and today’s grant will make long overdue upgrades that will empower the region’s food processing industry. I will work with anyone to invest in our water infrastructure and grow Michigan’s economy.”

“This project will help our processors expand their operations and promote new partnerships with farmers to help make our supply chain more resilient,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow. “It’s a win-win for the community and Michigan agriculture.”

“This federal support will allow the City of Hart to make critical updates that will expand their wastewater treatment capacity and support the region’s food processing industry, vital to their local economy,” said Senator Gary Peters. “I was proud to help secure this funding through the American Rescue Plan, which will support Hart’s economic growth and job creation.”

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.