Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests More than $1 Million to Support Job Creation in Gulf Coast Region of Texas

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Tuesday, September 22, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a more than $1 million grant to the city of Prairie View, Texas to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure serving local businesses. According to grantee estimates, this project will create 50 jobs, save 100 existing jobs, and generate $5 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 existing businesses and allow new firms to move to the area, creating jobs for the Prairie View region.”

EDA’s investment will fund critical water and sewer infrastructure to support the James Muse Parkway and Old Houston Highway corridor in Prairie View, Texas. The project will benefit private development along James Muse Parkway by attracting future business opportunities, which can increase tax revenue for the city, create continuous and permanent job growth, and spur local and regional economic 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.