Press Release

U.S. EDA Grant to Bring Tech-based Jobs to Evansville, Indiana

August 31, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $231,482 grant to the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Inc., of Evansville, Ind., to develop a strategic master plan for the redevelopment of the former Evansville Whirlpool facility site.

"President Obama and his administration are working to build a sustainable economic future for our nation," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA investment advances plans to develop a tech park that will diversify the regional economy and create higher-skill, living-wage jobs in Evansville."

"The closing of this Whirlpool facility will leave 1,100 production workers unemployed. This project will help identify reuse opportunities and potential partners to create new jobs to replace the ones that have been lost," said Mr. J. Gregory Wathen, President and CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana.

The EDA investment will develop a strategic master plan for locating a new technology park on the former Whirlpool Corporation site in Evansville. The new park will help to maximize the attraction of the private sector to locate, invest, and create jobs for the community.

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.