Press Release

$1.8 Million U.S. Commerce Department Invests to Help Build Clean Tech Incubator in Sedalia, Missouri

September 19, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a $1.8 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Mo., to help build a business incubator focused on "waste to energy" technology companies. The project is expected to create at least 136 new jobs, according to grantee estimates.

"Encouraging innovation and bringing new technologies to the marketplace are critical to creating jobs and improving our nation's economic competitiveness," Blank said. "This EDA grant will provide the physical space for the incubation of emerging green technology companies while adding technological capability for the College's diverse training programs to better prepare the workforce for jobs in the new economy."

The EDA grant will help to build a facility that will incubate early stage green energy technologies. The Center will also become part of a training program designed to certify 150 energy technicians on an annual basis, to serve the growing green energy cluster that has developed in the region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):

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.