Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping Pennsylvania Respond to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $1.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to three EDA Economic Development District organizations in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

“These investments come at a crucial time to help Pennsylvania’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 Pennsylvania’s EDA Economic Development Districts to help them prevent, prepare, and respond to coronavirus.”

“Small businesses across Pennsylvania have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and government-imposed shutdown,” said Senator Pat Toomey. “As these small businesses continue the process of safely bringing workers back and reopening their doors, it is important that the resources from the CARES Act be used, in part, to aid in this process. The grants awarded by the U.S Department of Commerce will help communities respond to the economic harm inflicted by COVID-19.”

“The CARES Act succeeded in supporting employers and employees in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09). “Today’s announcement is great news for communities in the 9th District and across the Commonwealth. CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants will provide necessary funds for Pennsylvania’s EDA Economic Development Districts to develop and execute on a plan to safely reopen our economy.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, Towanda, Pennsylvania, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring additional staff, developing a regional strategy, and supporting workforce needs.
• SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by purchasing information technology equipment for remote work and data backup, and expanding SEDA-COG’s Economic Development, Flood Resiliency and Community Relations Programs to increase COVID-19 related programming and business recovery efforts for the region.
• Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, Altoona, Pennsylvania, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by implementing broadband solutions to ensure rural residents and businesses have access to reliable, high-speed internet services.

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.