U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.6 Million for Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements to Boost Business Development and Disaster Resiliency in Yellowstone County, Montana

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.6 million grant to Yellowstone County in Montana, for water and sewer infrastructure improvements to support business development and disaster resiliency in the region.

This grant will provide critical water and sewer infrastructure to the Lockwood Targeted Economic Development District to spur economic development in an area impacted by recent storms and flooding. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.1 million in local funds.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is a commitment to ensuring that communities in Montana and across the country have the resources they need to expand economic opportunity,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will ensure that Yellowstone County has the infrastructure needed to attract new businesses in critical industries and create good-paying jobs in the region.”

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place based economic development,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth.  “This project will provide the foundation for Yellowstone Country to encourage industrial and manufacturing business development and increase disaster resiliency for the region.”

“Flooding can be devastating to Montana’s farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and families, and we’ve got to make sure our communities have the resources they need to ensure they’re prepared when disaster strikes,” said Senator Jon Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding to create good-paying jobs and support economic development in Yellowstone County, and I’ll continue working to bring Montana infrastructure into the 21st century.” 

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by Beartooth Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (Beartooth RC&D). EDA funds Beartooth RC&D 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.