U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.6 Million for Infrastructure Improvements to Support Business Growth in Kearney, Nebraska
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 the city of Kearney, Nebraska, for infrastructure improvements needed to accelerate business growth in the region.
This grant will provide for water, sewer, and roadway improvements to support business park expansion. This EDA investment will be matched with $653,696 in local funds and is expected to create 46 jobs and generate $27 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need for economic success,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Kearney will build regional economic resilience by providing job opportunities, expanding the tax base, and spurring new private investments.”
“EDA is proud to partner with Kearney as it pursues place-based economic development strategies to diversify its regional economy,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will create new jobs in manufacturing, shipping and warehousing that will create long-term resilience in the region.”
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD). EDA funds SCEDD 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.