Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Protect Dayton Businesses from Future Flood Events

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to the city of Dayton, Tennessee, to upgrade critical water infrastructure needed to protect local businesses from future flood events. The grant, to be matched with $11.8 million in local funds, is expected to help create 660 jobs and spur more than $415 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration recognizes the challenges American communities face following natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will help the local business community remain strong through flooding and other future natural disasters that may impact the region.”

“We thank the Department of Commerce for the wise investment in our infrastructure,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “Businesses depend on infrastructure as arteries of prosperity and we look forward to further strengthening Tennessee’s economy.”

“I applaud the city of Dayton and the Southeast Tennessee Development District for taking steps to help protect the community from future flooding and supporting more jobs,” said Senator Alexander. “I appreciate the Trump Administration’s ongoing investments in Tennessee, including this $2.7 million grant for Dayton.”

“This grant will address the need for critical infrastructure to prevent future flooding and simultaneously add jobs and private investment to the Dayton community,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn. “Thank you to the Department of Commerce for providing the necessary aid.”

“Heavy storms recently created a disaster situation in our state, including Marion County, susceptible to flooding,” said Congressman Scott DesJarlais. “Disaster relief, infrastructure repair, and protection is an important federal responsibility. I support it in our Fourth Congressional District, where local leaders are working with the EDA to make the best use of taxpayer funds. Our state and region are growing economically and require new infrastructure that this grant will help to provide.”

This project funds upgrades to the Dayton Wastewater Treatment Plant to protect businesses from future flood events and support expansion plans of various industries in the region. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeast Tennessee Development District. EDA funds the Southeast Tennessee Development District to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

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.