Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.2 Million in CARES Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping North Dakota Respond to Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to six EDA Economic Development District organizations across North Dakota 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 North Dakota with resources to make a swift and lasting economic comeback.”

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

“We appreciate the Trump administration’s investment in North Dakota to support our ongoing economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19,” said Governor Doug Burgum. “Our economic development organizations play an integral role in creating opportunities for North Dakota workers, and these CARES Act grants will bolster our continuing efforts to save lives and livelihoods.”

“We appreciate the administration distributing funds from the CARES Act to offer technical assistance, business development strategy or support hiring additional staff in these six communities,” said Senator John Hoeven. “As North Dakota continues working to safely re-open, this funding will benefit local and regional economies throughout our state.”

“The Trump Administration is investing CARES Act funds directly into North Dakota communities so they can effectively respond to COVID-19 and combat its impact on our workers and businesses,” said Senator Kevin Cramer. “These grants will boost local economic development and bolster programs aimed at fighting the virus.”

“Congress passed the CARES Act to provide crucial funding to help local businesses respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m glad to see $2.2 million coming to support North Dakota communities,” said Congressman Kelly Armstrong. “Thank you to Commerce Secretary Ross and President Trump for their leadership in stewarding this program and helping our businesses overcome these challenging times.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Lake Agassiz Regional Council, Fargo, North Dakota, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance to local businesses and communities.
• Red River Regional Council, Grafton, North Dakota, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by working with the local business community to advance economic recovery efforts.
• Souris Basin Planning Council, Minot, North Dakota, will receive a $400,000 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance to local businesses and entrepreneurs.
• North Central Planning Council, Devils Lake, North Dakota, will receive a $384,738 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by developing pandemic recovery strategies to boost the region’s economy and promote the critical tourism sector.
• Tri County Regional Development Council, Williston, North Dakota, will receive a $383,115 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by hiring new staff and assisting business development, job creation, and economic diversification efforts.
• South Central Dakota Regional Council, Jamestown, North Dakota, will receive a $236,460 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance and capacity-building for member organizations, local businesses, and other local stakeholders and coordinating a pandemic recovery and resiliency plan.

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.