U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million to Support Tribal Disaster Planning in Southwest Washington State

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Tokeland, Washington, to prepare local infrastructure for natural disasters.

This grant will support the development of a Master Community Relocation Plan to move Tribal facilities away from potential natural disaster conditions and ensure the Tribe’s economic stability.

“President Biden’s Investing In America agenda is about providing all communities with the opportunities and resources they need to thrive in today’s economy, including tribal communities in Washington state and across the nation,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help ensure the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe has the resources they need to make tribal facilities more resilient to natural disasters and improve their economic security.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies to help communities mitigate the impacts of natural disasters,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to help prepare the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe for continued economic growth following natural disasters.”

“The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is on the frontlines of some of the most serious effects of climate change. These federal dollars will play an important role in making sure the Tribe’s local infrastructure is resilient in the face of natural disasters as their relocation efforts continue—which is critical to community preparedness and economic growth,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I was proud to secure a nearly $25 million RAISE Grant for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s upland relocation project over the summer—this EDA grant supports those efforts and shows yet again President Biden’s steadfast commitment to supporting Tribal communities.”

“Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, sea-level rise is causing the Shoalwater Bay Tribe’s low-lying land to disappear. This investment in the Tribe’s Master Relocation Plan brings the Shoalwater Bay community one-step closer to moving their vital community facilities out of harm’s way and up to higher ground,” said Senator Maria Cantwell.

“As the Shoalwater Bay Tribe faces devastating erosion and flooding caused by sea level rise, it’s essential they have the support necessary to relocate vital community infrastructure,” said Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “I visited the Tribe this past summer to discuss their ongoing climate resiliency efforts, and this federal funding is another important step in the right direction toward protecting folks’ livelihoods and economic stability.”

This project is funded by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. 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.