Press Release

U.S. Economic Development Administration Invests $200,000 to Support Economic Resiliency in Northern Alabama

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Monday, August 11, 2014

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $100,000 grant to the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments and a $100,000 grant to the Northwest Alabama Council of Governments to support the development of strategies in both communities to recover from and respond to recent job loss resulting from industry closures. These plans are intended to help increase resiliency across the entire northern Alabama region.

“Economic development is a continuum, and some regions need help getting started with a plan,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams. “The EDA grants announced today will help the communities in the north central and northwestern parts of Alabama get on the road to economic resiliency and growth.”

Both regions have suffered from several key industry closures in recent years, which, according to the grantee, resulted in significant job loss for the communities. EDA’s investments will support long-term economic recovery for Northern Alabama counties including Lawrence, Morgan, Cullman, Colbert, and Lauderdale. The plans will assess each area’s resources, including labor force, infrastructure, existing industries, and entrepreneurial support in order to inform local and regional leaders overcome current challenges and make the region more resilient in the future.

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.