Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.4 Million to Support Workforce Training Opportunities in Boise, Idaho
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
September 27, 2018
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.4 million grant to the Idaho Rural Water Association of Boise to help build a workforce training center. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create or retain 550 jobs and generate $450,000 in private investment.
“The Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring American communities have the tools necessary to prepare for and mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This new facility will promote disaster preparedness by providing workers with the training they need to protect wastewater facilities in the event of an emergency.”
This investment will fund the construction of a new facility to facilitate in the recruitment and training of Idaho Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) members and house specialized equipment in the event of a natural disaster. The project supports disaster mitigation and response by providing training to protect water and wastewater facilities during major flooding events.
This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.
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.