Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million to Support Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Efforts in Barnstable County, Massachusetts

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to Barnstable County, acting through the Cape Cod Commission, Massachusetts, to assess the impact of coastal storms and flooding on the region and to improve local economic planning and response efforts. The EDA grant will be matched with $235,000 in state and $815,000 in local investment.

“The Trump Administration recognizes the challenges the Cape Cod region has faced in the wake of natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will allow the local business community to remain strong through flooding events and other future natural disasters that may impact the region’s economy.”

“This investment will develop a framework for action to respond to weather-related impacts on businesses in Barnstable County,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to support the development and implementation of the Cape Cod Economic Development District’s multi-pronged planning initiative to address the region’s environmental and economic resiliency challenges.”

“Massachusetts’ coastal communities face significant challenges each year due to increasing flooding, storm damage and sea level rise impacts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is dedicated to working with municipalities to build resilience and protect people and property, and this grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will build on those efforts to ensure Barnstable County communities are prepared for future impacts of extreme weather.”

“Cape Cod has had more than its fair share of once-in-a-generation weather related-disasters over recent years,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “Funding through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration will help Barnstable County tackle the challenges associated with these weather events. The EDA’s investment will ensure that this unique region of Massachusetts has a workable foundation of resources necessary to respond to future disasters so that all can enjoy what the Cape has to offer for generations to come.”

“All of us who live here on Cape Cod have seen the devastating impacts that major storms have had on our community,” said Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09). “Studying the effects of these weather events on the Cape will allow the community to pursue a unified effort with both preparedness and response.”

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage.

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.