Press Release

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces $3.2 Million Grant to Create Jobs, Strengthen Economy in Alabama

September 11, 2009
Contact: Bryan Borlik, (202) 482-4085

EDA Grant Expected to Create or Save 591 Jobs and Generate $5.7 Million in Private Investment

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $3.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority of Montgomery, the Gulf Coast Agriculture and Seafood Co-op of Bayou La Batre, and the Mobile County Commission of Mobile, Ala., to help build a seafood by-product processing facility. The project is expected to create or save 591 jobs and generate $5.7 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation's economic competitiveness," Locke said. "This grant will create jobs by helping to build an environmentally-friendly seafood by-product processing facility that will process shrimp and crab waste products into valuable commodities, boosting the local seafood processing sector."

The Department of Commerce is a voice for Main Street businesses. It focuses on creating jobs by fostering innovation and opening markets to U.S. products.

EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department and supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.