Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million to Provide Critical Utility Infrastructure Improvements in Tecumseh, Nebraska

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the City of Tecumseh, Nebraska, to make critical utility infrastructure improvements needed to increase electricity generation capacity and stability. The EDA grant, to be matched with $304,863 in local investment, is expected to create 50 jobs and spur $2 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration is committed to retaining jobs and creating new opportunities for Americans,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The increased electrical generation capacity in Tecumseh, Nebraska, will supply sufficient electricity for commercial and industrial use, improving the resiliency of the community and the region.”

“Major flooding in Nebraska in 2019 impacted the supply of electricity in the state,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “Improving the electricity supply in Tecumseh will provide stability for nearby businesses when faced with future natural disasters and will allow a nearby business to expand, bolstering job opportunities in the community.”

“Last year’s flooding left many parts of Nebraska without access to electricity when they needed it,” said Senator Deb Fischer. “I thank Secretary Ross and the EDA for their investment in Tecumseh’s electricity generation capacity. This grant will help protect the community from losing electricity for commercial use in future disasters. It will also support the growth of local businesses and create more good-paying jobs for Nebraskans.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeast Nebraska Development District, 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.