Press Release
New England Region Receives Commerce Department Assistance to Help Boost Competitiveness in the Global Marketplace
August 23, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced $1.8 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant funds to the New England Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC), which serves the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, to help the region adjust to increasing competition in the global marketplace and create jobs to bolster the local economy.
"The Obama administration is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to foster job creation and business growth," Locke said. "This grant to the New England TAAC will help create jobs and strengthen the competitiveness of local companies by providing funding for improvement projects in areas like manufacturing, information technology and market development."
EDA's Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program funds 11 Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers across the nation. TAACs facilitate projects aimed at boosting U.S. firms' competitiveness, and in turn, creating and retaining jobs.
Grants under the program can be used to support a wide range of technical, planning, and infrastructure projects to help communities adapt to international competition and diversify their economies. Additional information is available at: www.eda.gov/TAAF.
Earlier this year, President Obama unveiled his National Export Initiative, an effort to help U.S. firms sell their goods and services abroad with a goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years in support of 2 million American jobs.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.