Press Release

U.S. EDA Invests $2 Million to Boost Business Development and Job Growth in Northampton County, North Carolina

September 26, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Northampton County, N.C., to make water and wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to serve the Northampton Commerce Park and the proposed Enviva wood pellet manufacturing operation. The project is expected to create 60 jobs and generate $60 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"The Obama administration is committed to job growth and business development, and this grant will fund vital infrastructure needed in Northampton County," Blank said. "This EDA grant will advance Northampton's renewable resources sector to meet domestic and global energy demands.".

The EDA grant will provide the critical infrastructure needed to serve Enviva, LP, which manufactures, markets, and distributes high-quality industrial wood pellets for alternative fuel use to domestic and foreign markets. This investment supports green technologies utilizing renewable resources to meet ever-growing energy demands.

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.