U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.6 Million for Water Infrastructure Improvements to Support Healthcare and Workforce Development in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million grant to Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government in Houma, Louisiana, for water infrastructure improvements to support healthcare and workforce development in the region.

This grant will design and construct a new water line to service the new Terrebonne General Hospital, increasing access to health care and creating high-quality jobs. This EDA investment will be matched with $651,470 in local funds and is expected to create or retain nearly 150 jobs and generate $78 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is a commitment to ensuring that communities in Louisiana and across the country have the resources and infrastructure they need to boost quality of life for everyone in their community,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will increase access to healthcare for Louisianians, support healthcare workers, and create good-paying jobs in the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment in Terrebonne Parish will strengthen the regional healthcare workforce, creating new job opportunities for residents and supporting a resilient regional economy.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by South Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC). EDA funds SCPDC 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 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.