U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Help Establish Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians Sustainable Fuel Processing Facility

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Kelseyville, California, to jumpstart the Tribe’s renewable energy industry through development of a sustainable fuel processing facility. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This project will support site work and equipment procurement for a new woody biomass processing facility that will be used to transform locally-sourced, low-value biomass into firewood, pellet-based fuels, and other bioenergy products.

“President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will allow the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to utilize forest inventory to develop a new revenue stream while mitigating the risk of wildfire created by uncontrolled undergrowth.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide critical manufacturing infrastructure for Tribal members, diversifying the economy and creating new jobs in the community.”

“California is committed to advancing an equitable recovery that lifts up all our communities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This grant will enable the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians to advance their development of a sustainable fuel processing facility that will bolster the community’s economic and climate resilience. We are grateful for the Biden Administration’s commitment to helping our state build back stronger.”

“I was proud to support the American Rescue Plan because it delivers for all communities – including tribal nations,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Tribal communities were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this important investment will support the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ economic recovery. This project will not only support tribal economic development and self-reliance, it will also help reduce the threat of wildfires – a critical need in California.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs. 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.