Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million to Promote Trade at the Texas Border

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 $1.2 million to the city of Pharr, Texas, for the construction of an international trade center that will serve as a focal point for business and trade in the border region.

“The Obama Administration and the Commerce Department are committed to helping U.S. businesses sell more of their goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers that live outside our borders,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA investment announced today supports infrastructure improvements that will help Texas border town businesses get resources and training to expand exports and sustain commerce.”

EDA’s investment will be used to assist in the construction of a 15,000 square foot facility that will be used for job training and to promote business opportunities on the U.S.-Mexico border. The new facility will serve as a trade and commerce training center, as well as a local disaster resource center that will be equipped with redundant power and communications systems in order to mitigate the disruption to commerce in the region in the event of a natural disaster.

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.