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U.S. EDA Investment Promotes Business Development in Baldwin County, Alabama

June 14, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085


WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $102,320 grant to the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission of Mobile and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance of Robertsdale, Ala., to help provide Baldwin County with the Geographical Information System (GIS) capacity it needs to advance industry recruitment efforts.

"The Obama Administration is committed to helping communities in the Gulf Coast create jobs for displaced workers and boost local businesses that are critical to the economic health of the region," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "EDA is pleased to provide funding for the critical technology needed to attract and expand businesses in the region."

"The GIS application will enhance the information technology capabilities utilized by the South Alabama Regional Planning Council, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, and the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance and make GIS-related information available to clients in an interactive format," said Chris Miller, Assistant Executive Director of the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission.

This EDA investment will provide businesses, consultants, regional economic developers, and local governments the region-specific data they need to support economic recovery efforts through the development of a searchable database, mapping, and analysis tool supported by GIS systems. This tool will generate empirical data that will help advance the recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast following the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

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.