Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Nearly $1.2 Million Support Tourism and Culinary Industries in Texas

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Monday, September 22, 2014

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding nearly $1.2 million to the city of Port Isabel, Texas, to refurbish an historic building for use as the new Culinary Arts Institute and food business incubator.

“The Obama Administration and Commerce Department are committed to strengthening the travel and tourism industry, which supports millions of American jobs,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA award announced today will enable Port Isabel to make infrastructure upgrades that will both train workers to fill vacant jobs in the culinary industry and promote tourism in the city.”

EDA’s investment will help restore a classic and historically significant facility, which, according to the grantee, was once the culinary focal point for fine dining in the region. It will be refurbished as a Culinary Arts Institute with business incubation facilities to address the shortage of workers in those professions. Acquiring and renovating this structure will continue to build on the city's strategy to boost tourism by promoting its unique history and heritage.

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.