Press Release

U.S. commerce Department Partners with Baylor University to Develop Innovation Infrastructure in Central Texas

March 29, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to construct information technology (IT) infrastructure that will provide high-speed Internet connectivity to the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) site at the new Central Texas Technology and Research Park. The project is expected to create 500 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

"The Obama administration is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to foster job creation, economic growth and competitiveness," Locke said. "This grant will support innovative technologies, university research and development, and workforce training by providing the critical infrastructure improvements needed to serve the Waco community."

This EDA project involves two phases of construction that will develop IT infrastructure, a cast in place manhole, two bores, two concrete vaults, a build-out of communications rooms, a telephone switch, expansion of Lonestar Education and Research Network infrastructure, and hardware upgrades. The investment also supports President Obama's America COMPETES Act, which encourages new investments in research and development and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.