Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million to Make Critical Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Support Business Growth in Johnston County, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to Johnston County, North Carolina, to make critical water infrastructure improvements needed to serve a major regional distribution center. The EDA grant, to be matched with $1.5 million in local investment, is expected to help create 161 jobs and spur $2 million in private investment.

“President Trump understands that reliable and modern infrastructure is fundamental to business development and success,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will extend vital infrastructure to businesses along the I-95/Town of Four Oaks corridor to accelerate business growth and make the area more resilient in the face of severe weather events.”

“EDA is pleased to support Johnston County’s strategy to enhance water infrastructure access to businesses along the interstate I-95 corridor,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The extended water and sewer lines will serve a major distribution center as well as protect local businesses from future weather events.”

“In communities of all sizes across our state, aging infrastructure is an overwhelming challenge,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These critical dollars will help with maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement costs in Johnston County.”

“I want to thank Secretary Ross and President Trump for this $1.5 million grant that will make important infrastructure improvements and support much-needed jobs in Johnston County,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “This project will go a long way to provide service to a critical distribution center and job provider in the area.”

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.