Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $1.7 Million Award to Business Development Corp. in Auburn, Maine to Help Create Jobs

Contact: John Atwood, 202-482-4085
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson today announced a $1.7 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Auburn and the Auburn Business Development Corp., of Auburn, Maine, to help build critical infrastructure for a new 119-acre, tech-focused industrial park. The investment will create 200 new jobs and attract $10 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"This $1.7 million EDA investment in Auburn is an example of the Obama Administrations commitment to supporting a 21st century infrastructure," Bryson said. "The grant announced today will provide resources to Maine that will help promote innovation, attract private investment, and create hundreds of jobs in the emerging technology business sector."

The EDA investment will provide funding to the Auburn Industrial Subdivision to construct roadway, water, and sanitary sewer infrastructure. The new industrial park will help the Auburn region continue its transformation from a textile mill center into a modern business, commercial, and industrial center. The investment will also help the region expand its economy into more innovative, technology-focused sectors that provide higher-wage employment opportunities.

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.