U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.1 Million to Boost Business Growth Efforts in Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $4.1 million in the state of Texas to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to support current and future business needs.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• The city of Yoakum will receive a $2.5 million EDA grant for critical water and sewer infrastructure at the Yoakum Industrial Park to support new business growth. The project will be matched with $625,000 in local funds, is expected to create or retain more than 200 jobs, and generate $14 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
• The city of Bryan will receive a $1.6 million EDA grant to make roadway improvements and support manufacturing business expansion at the Texas Triangle Park. The project will be matched with $5.4 million in local funds and is expected to create 130 jobs and generate $162 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is a commitment to the success and prosperity of our people, communities, and businesses. By securing the United States’ spot as the global leader in infrastructure, more families in Texas and across the country will benefit from stronger and more resilient economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will allow the cities of Yoakum and Bryan to obtain the modern and sustainable infrastructure they need to create good-paying jobs and support local businesses.” 

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to assist the cities of Yoakum and Bryan in their work to provide the infrastructure that their businesses need to grow even more opportunities in Texas and beyond.”

“As the best business climate in the nation, Texas continues to attract businesses to our state from across the country and the globe,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This investment from the EDA will help the cities of Yoakum and Bryan make critical infrastructure improvements and create hundreds of good-paying jobs so that local businesses and the hardworking Texans they support can continue to thrive. We look forward to seeing the economic growth in Central Texas this investment will help encourage as we continue to build an even bigger and better Texas.”

“Access to robust and efficient infrastructure is critical for the continued economic development in Texas,” said Senator John Cornyn. “I applaud this announcement and look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have for Texans in Yoakum and Bryan.”

These projects are funded under 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.