Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.7 Million to Support the Building of Russellville Convention Center

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
July 15, 2016

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award a $1.7 million grant to the city of Russellville, Ark., to make water infrastructure improvements needed to serve the Russellville Convention Center project. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 200 new jobs.

“Ensuring that our communities have the modern infrastructure they need to grow and thrive is of critical importance to their competitiveness,” said Secretary Pritzker. “EDA’s investment to establish the water infrastructure needed to bring the Russellville Convention Center to fruition will generate economic development and job creation in the region.”

The EDA grant will help to make water and wastewater improvements related to serving the new convention center being planned in Russellville. The project is also expected to help protect the Arkansas Tech University campus in the event of flooding. Current water and wastewater capacities are insufficient to support development of the facility, which will be built immediately north of interstate 40, west of Exit 81.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration
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. To learn more about EDA, visit www.eda.gov.