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

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the Greeneville Water Commission, Greeneville, Tennessee, for sewer infrastructure improvements to support business expansion and job creation in a region impacted by fluctuations in the energy economy.

This grant will provide for reliable sewer service capacity needed for a major plastics manufacturer to expand operations while supporting future business and industrial growth. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.6 million in local funds and is expected to help create or retain more than 200 jobs and generate $3.6 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden remains committed to ensuring that our communities get the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA infrastructure investment will support business and job growth in Greeneville and expand an already-existing industry in the area.”

“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 sewer 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 the 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.