Press Release
Agri-business Jobs in New York's Hudson Valley Region to Benefit from U.S. EDA Funding
September 21, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced an $800,000 grant to the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency and the village of Liberty, N.Y. to help build a 5,000 square foot food processing facility to accommodate agri-business demand in the region. The project is expected to create 50 jobs and generate $5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
"Demand for a food processing facility in the region is high," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help to expand the region's livestock production sector to create new jobs and leverage private investment."
"These federal funds will create jobs, promote economic development in our area, and most important, help local family farms stay in business and grow," said U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey. "Federal grants such as this one are so critical to supporting regional agriculture, which remains an important industry through the region and our state. It is vital that we continue to invest in programs that promote family farms and the economic opportunities they bring to rural areas such as Sullivan County."
"This timely grant by the EDA will allow this Hudson Valley Region to capitalize on the value added processes in the agri-business cluster and exhibits the multi-agency support to provide sustained economic development in a positive way," said Tim McCausland, President of the Sullivan County Partnership.
The facility will function as a local meat processing facility which will primarily serve local livestock producers. The producers will be the primary generator of new employment opportunities.
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.