Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million to Support Water Infrastructure Improvements in Alabama
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
May 23, 2017
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority of Athens, Alabama, to provide critical water system improvements across a 19 county-wide area that had been severely impacted by flooding in 2014. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 204 jobs and spur $221 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration is committed to development that benefits communities across America,” said Secretary Ross. “I look forward to seeing how the Limestone County water system enhancements will improve the quality of life for local residents.”
In addition to repairing damage caused by a natural disaster, the funding will also support a new manufacturing plant in Limestone County. The facility will be the first of its kind in the United States to mass produce silicon carbide materials that support construction for aircraft engines, making them lighter and more efficient. The project supports business growth and expansion in the region while also improving the reliability of water supply.
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.