U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500,000 to Promote Economic Recovery and Resiliency Following Natural Disasters in Dallas County, Alabama
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to the Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission, Camden, Alabama, to promote economic recovery and resiliency in Dallas County, Alabama, following a series of natural disasters.
This project will develop disaster guidance and a long-term planning strategy that will incorporate federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, economic development agencies, and housing organizations.
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will help prepare Dallas County for future economic disruptions, such as those caused by recent natural disasters, including 2017’s Hurricane Nate and a tornado earlier this year.”
“As communities across Dallas County work to recover after January’s devastation, this assistance from the EDA will provide critical resources to help ensure that they can be well prepared for future emergencies. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I will continue to partner with local and state officials as we work together to ensure that all Alabamians can live the American Dream,” said Senator Katie Britt.
“Following the devastating January 12th storms, I hosted the first of what will be a series of community conversations to give the residents of Dallas County an opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for our recovery,” said Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07). “Today, I’m thrilled to share that we have secured $500,000 from the Economic Development Administration to develop a long-term plan in close coordination with our federal, state, and local partners. This grant is a major victory and will go a long way in helping us reimagine our communities. Working together, I know that we will turn tragedy into opportunity and come back even better and stronger than before.”
This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.
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.