Press Release

U.S. Economic Development Administration Invests Nearly $700,000 to Support Manufacturing and Foreign Investment in Georgia

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Wednesday, September 16, 2015

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $694,864 grant to the City of Lavonia, Georgia to improve sewer systems, enabling a foreign-based automotive parts manufacturer to locate to the region. According to grantee estimates, this project will result in the creation of 400 manufacturing jobs and generate $54 million in foreign-direct investment.

“Ensuring our nation’s communities have adequate infrastructure to retain and attract businesses and investment is a major priority for the Obama Administration, the Department of Commerce, and EDA,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams. “The EDA investment announced today will enable the Lavonia community to attract a foreign manufacturer and explore additional development opportunities in the future.”

EDA’s investment will provide sewer improvements to serve a German-owned automotive parts manufacturer that specializes in fuel injection parts and other precision components for the automotive industry. According to the grantee, this project will also open up several hundred additional acres for future development.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The Economic Development Administration marks 50 years of public service, leading 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.