U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvements to Support Business Growth in Hawkins County, Tennessee

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the First Utility District of Hawkins County, Tennessee, for water infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth.

This grant will provide the reliable water service capacity needed for a major glass manufacturer to expand operations while enabling other businesses to locate in a region transitioning from a traditional coal economy. The EDA investment will be matched with $400,000 in local funds and is expected to create 75 jobs and generate $35 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in infrastructure will support business growth in Hawkins County, creating jobs and providing economic resilience.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support local efforts to create new economic opportunities and jobs,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide reliable water service to support economic diversification and create jobs in a region impacted by the declining use of coal.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by First Tennessee Development District (FTDD). EDA funds FTDD 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.

This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities. 

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.