Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million to Boost Manufacturing Growth in Mission, Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the Mission Economic Development Corporation, Mission, Texas, to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to advance economic growth in the Shary Village Industrial Park and improve the area’s resilience against future natural disasters. The EDA grant, to be matched with $750,000 in local investment, is expected to create 300 jobs and spur more than $57 million in private investment.

“Manufacturing is the heartbeat of many communities and the Trump Administration is committed to helping American communities obtain the modern infrastructure they need to encourage manufacturing growth,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will ensure that Mission has the water, power, and roadway infrastructure they need to support current and future manufacturers and protect its business community for future disasters.”

“The expansion of the Shary Village Industrial Park will stoke new economic growth in the Texas border region,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to support this locally-driven effort to encourage business expansion and attraction, promote market access for goods and services, and increase U.S. exports.”

“The economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak has hit Texans hard, and as much as we can protect each other from its effects, we must,” said Senator John Cornyn. “I’ll continue to do everything I can to make economic recovery in Mission a high priority during this deadly pandemic.”

“Preparing our economy and infrastructure for future natural disasters and climate change is critical,” said Congressman Vincent Gonzalez. “We need to make investments in our businesses and communities today to prevent damage in the future. One of my top priorities is to spur the economy of the 15th District of Texas and build back better so we are ready for any challenges that we may face in the years to come.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

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) Program 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 for more information.

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.