U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $676,426 for Water Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Job Growth in Longwood, Florida

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $676,426 grant to the city of Longwood, Florida, for water infrastructure improvements to spur private investment and create jobs in the region.

This grant will support stormwater system improvements in the Florida Commerce Industrial Park, recently flooded by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. This EDA grant will be matched with $201,142 in local funds and is expected to create or retain more than 100 jobs and generate $1.5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to support locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide critical infrastructure repairs and improvements in the Florida Commerce Industrial Park to diversify the regional economy and create jobs.”

“As a native Central Floridian and representative of Florida’s Seventh Congressional District, I am pleased to see the EDA’s grant awarded to Longwood,” said Representative Cory Mills (FL-07). “Recent hurricanes have devastated the area, and this grant will make major strides toward improving the infrastructure and way of life for Central Floridians.”

This project is 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.