Press Release
U.S. EDA Investment to Strengthen Agriculture Sector in Hudson Valley, New York
August 30, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $50,000 grant to Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation of Hudson, Valley, N.Y., to provide technical assistance to agriculture-related businesses in New York's Hudson Valley region.
"President Obama will not be satisfied until every American in a rural community who wants work can find a job, and he's working tirelessly to accelerate our economic recovery," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA investment will provide direct, business-focused technical assistance to agricultural business and also help them develop new energy strategies and advance ways to share resources to boost competitiveness."
"This important EDA funding will allow Jefferson County to provide decision makers with a current understanding of the changing economic conditions of the rural area and plan the investment of limited resources in the advancement of private sector investment and job creation," said Carolyn Fitzpatrick, Chair, Jefferson County Board of Legislators.
In June, President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing the first White House Rural Council. Since taking office, President Obama's Administration has taken significant steps to improve the lives of rural Americans and has provided broad support for rural communities. The Obama Administration has set goals of modernizing infrastructure by providing broadband access to 10 million Americans, expanding educational opportunities for students in rural areas, providing affordable health care, promoting innovation and expanding the production of renewable energy. In the long term, these unparalleled rural investments will help ensure that America's rural communities are repopulating, self-sustaining, and thriving economically.
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.