U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million for Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements to Support the Automotive Manufacturing Industry in Effingham County, Georgia

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority in Rincon, Georgia, for water and sewer infrastructure improvements at the Grande View Industrial Park.

This grant will provide water and sewer services to support a new automotive parts manufacturing facility, creating jobs in a region impacted by changes in the energy economy. This EDA investment, to be matched with $4.4 million in local funds, is expected to create 740 jobs and generate $300 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda empowers communities – including those impacted by shifts in the energy sector – to grow and diversify their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in critical infrastructure will strengthen Grande View Industrial Park’s role as an economic driver in the region and pave the way for decades of private investment and job creation.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to partner with Effingham County through this strategic, place-based grant as it seeks to bring new opportunities to the region,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA grant will support the creation of critical, in-demand jobs and provide an essential boost to the regional economy.”

“Senator Warnock and I continue to support Georgia’s economic development – today, with resources for water and sewer at the Grande View Industrial Park. I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Raimondo, and Assistant Secretary Alejandra Castillo for their assistance,” said Senator Jon Ossoff.

“When Georgians sent me to the Senate, they expected me to work hard to ensure Georgia gets its fair share of federal resources for every corner of the state. This latest multi-million dollar investment in Effingham County and coastal Georgia reflect my commitment to doing just that,” said Senator Raphael Warnock. “Repairing and revitalizing Georgia’s water infrastructure is good both for Georgia’s economy and our ecology. I’ll continue to work in the Senate to ensure we leave our communities better than we found them for future generations.”

“Georgia’s First Congressional District is experiencing significant growth, and we must ensure that our infrastructure can handle the influx of residents and businesses coming to our area. This grant is a necessary investment in Effingham County’s future, and I am eager to see how these funds improve operations at Grande View Industrial Park,” said Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01).

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia (CRC). EDA funds CRC 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.