Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.2 Million in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping Oklahoma Respond to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $4.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to 11 EDA Economic Development District organizations across Oklahoma to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

“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 Oklahoma with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“These investments come at a crucial time to help Oklahoma’s and our nation’s economy 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 these investments in Oklahoma’s EDA Economic Development Districts to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus.”

“Oklahomans have shown strength and a sense of community in the face of this pandemic,” said Senator Jim Inhofe. “Thankfully, under the direction of the Trump Administration, our economy is already making a comeback and this $4.2 million in community grants from the CARES Act is an important part of community-driven efforts to respond to and recover from the virus. I am glad this administration is working hard to ensure funds I voted for are being made available to our local communities in this way.”

“These CARES Act funds will be a big help for the Indian Nations Council of Governments,” said Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01). “Oklahomans have been hard hit this year by both health and economic crises. Like many communities around the nation, we are doing our best to recover and adjust to the new normal. These funds will help Oklahomans weather this storm and ensure that we come back stronger than ever.”

“Oklahomans are resilient, and communities have stepped up to help their neighbors through these tough times; it’s the Oklahoma Standard,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). “These EDA grants will help communities throughout eastern Oklahoma get the resources they need to continue to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.”

“Today’s investments in Oklahoma comes at a crucial time as communities across our great state continue to meet the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03). “Through these funds provided by the CARES Act, our local communities will continue to meet the immediate needs of Oklahomans and better plan for a full recovery. I look forward to working with community leaders to ensure these funds are deployed quickly to help my fellow Oklahomans and local businesses, and I thank Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the Economic Development Administration, and the Trump Administration for assisting Oklahoma as we respond to the coronavirus and plan for our communities’ recovery in the months ahead.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by adding staff to provide technical assistance and capacity-building for local governments, and crafting an innovative multi-level approach that focuses on developing and implementing a Central Oklahoma regional resiliency plan for future pandemics.
• Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments, Duncan, Oklahoma , will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by working with community partnerships to support the economic development needs of the local economy.
• Central Oklahoma Economic Development District, Shawnee, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing economic development strategies to support local businesses and communities.
• Grand Gateway Economic Development Association, Big Cabin, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by creating data-driven approaches to offset the impact on the local economy.
• Indian Nations Council of Governments, Tulsa, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by focusing economic development resources in hard-hit communities to accelerate recovery.
• Northern Oklahoma Development Authority, Enid, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by building resilient and sustainable communities that can recovery from economic disruptions.
• Oklahoma Economic Development Authority, Beaver, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by developing strategies to boost the region’s economy through recovery and resiliency.
• South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Burns Flat, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring an economic recovery team to develop strategies, projects, and activities to support pandemic preparedness, resiliency, and recovery efforts.
• Southern Oklahoma Development Association, Durant, Oklahoma, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing economic recovery planning and technical assistance to help communities implement strategies to support the tourism, retail, energy and manufacturing sectors.
• Eastern Oklahoma Development District, Muskogee, Oklahoma, will receive a $310,606 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring additional staff and, developing and implementing strategies to grow the region’s critical manufacturing sector, promote tourism, and diversify the region’s agriculture-focused economy.
• Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma, Wilburton, Oklahoma, will receive a $262,822 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by delivering technical assistance and technology services to local governments, businesses, and other stakeholder organizations experiencing economic injury.

These entities, all EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDD), are some 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.