Jump to main content.

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED SITE

This site contains information that has been considered archived and will no longer be updated. Please click here to go to the CURRENT eda.gov website.

A bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce
Newsroom

Newsroom

Press Release

U.S. Commerce Department Partners with Citizen Potawatomi Nation to Spark Job Creation in Shawnee, Oklahoma

September 22, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085


WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Acting Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a $1 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Citizen Potawatomi Nation at Shawnee, Okla., to build infrastructure to support development of the Iron Horse Industrial Park. The project is expected to initially create 10 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"The Obama is committed to working with tribes to create jobs and economic opportunity," Blank said. "This EDA investment will help to establish the Iron Horse Industrial Park to stimulate business and job growth in the region."

The Iron Horse Industrial Park will include an on-site trans-load facility with direct access to the now-closed Union Pacific Rail Line. The development of the industrial park is critical to the re-opening of the line, which can provide an east-west connection of four major north-south rail corridors to significantly enhance regional commerce.

President Obama continues to prioritize job creation and has unveiled the American Jobs Act to support American workers and business owners. The proposal will make immediate investments of at least $488,600,000 in Oklahoma that could support a minimum of approximately 6,400 local jobs. In Oklahoma, 70,000 firms will receive a payroll tax cut under the American Jobs Act.

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.