Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million to Support Job Creation in Kentucky

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Thursday, July 23, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the city of Williamstown, Kentucky, to help build a new water treatment plant capable of supporting future long-term economic growth. According to the grantee, this project will create 500 jobs, retain 378 jobs, and generate more than $30 million in private investment.

“The Obama Administration is committed to ensuring our nation’s infrastructure is able to support business growth and job creation,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA investment announced today will provide critical water treatment services to businesses in the community, which will create jobs for the Williamstown region.”

EDA’s investment will help fund the construction of a new 4 million gallon per day, eco-friendly water treatment plant, which will replace the existing 2 million gallon per day plant that was built in the 1960s. As a result of this project, five companies associated with the health care, manufacturing, and other professional sectors have committed to investing in the region to create new jobs.

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.