Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $400,000 in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping 9-County Kansas City Metropolitan Area Respond to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City, Missouri, to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. This is the first EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance investment being made in the bureau’s Denver region.

“The Trump Administration is eager to allocate these essential CARES Act funds and deliver on our promise to help American communities recover from the impact of COVID-19,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “I am proud of the perseverance and strength shown by our communities coast to coast throughout this pandemic, and these funds will help provide the Kansas City Metropolitan Area with the necessary resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“This investment comes at a crucial time to help the economy in Missouri, Kansas, and our nation come roaring back and provide hard-working Americans with new opportunities,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “We are pleased to make this investment in the Mid-America Regional Council to help local governments prepare coronavirus recovery plans and investments, outline regional strategies to rebuild the region’s economy, and coordinate among workforce and educational institutions to help unemployed residents gain needed skills to re-enter the workforce.”

“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our economy, but we are working hard to recover and appreciate the continued support from the Trump Administration,” said Governor Mike Parson. “These funds will provide critical assistance in the Kansas City area as Missouri moves forward and works to get our communities, businesses, and citizens back on their feet.”

“I appreciate Mid-America Regional Council's important work to help boost jobs and the economy in the Kansas City region,” said Senator Roy Blunt (MO). “This investment will support MARC’s work on economic development plans and programs that will help the economy bounce back stronger and quicker.”

“As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I will continue to support the ongoing and critical mission of the EDA to assist the economic activity of our communities, especially in unprecedented times like we find ourselves in today,” said Senator Jerry Moran (KS). “This grant invests resources into the Kansas City area to rebuild the economy, reopen businesses and help those out of work receive the training and skills they need to find meaningful employment.”

“When Congress passed the CARES Act in March, we understood the importance of providing funding such as this to shock the American economy back to life again,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05). “I’m happy to see this $400,000 investment in the Greater Kansas City Area, and I look forward to working with the local governments who will use it to respond to COVID-19 and rebuild our region’s economy.”

“Our once-booming economy took a major hit from COVID-19. While we continue to fight the virus, we must also focus on fully rebuilding our economy,” said Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06). “This CARES Act funding enables our communities to do just that. I’m pleased to see the Mid-America Regional Council receive this important funding, enabling the Kansas City region to continue their recovery efforts. I’m also grateful that the Trump Administration is ensuring that it is quickly being put to good use so we can restore our economy.”

Mid-America Regional Council, an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD), which covers 119 cities and nine counties in Missouri and Kansas, is one of the more than 850 existing, high-performing EDA EDD, University Center, Tribal, and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant recipients invited to apply for supplemental funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The CARES Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, provides EDA with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

On May 7, Secretary Ross announced that EDA is accepting applications for CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding opportunities.

EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For complete information, please visit our recently updated EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page.

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.