Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million for Water System Improvements to Support Business Retention and Growth Efforts in Johnson City, Tennessee

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Johnson City, Tennessee, to upgrade the Sinking Creek Pump Station in support of current and future business needs. This EDA grant, to be matched with $3.8 million in local funds, is expected to create 216 jobs, retain 265 jobs, and generate $5 million in private investment.

“The Biden Administration is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA grant will provide Johnson City with the water infrastructure capacity it needs to support and grow its business community.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Johnson City’s strategy to protect and expand its businesses base,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “These infrastructure upgrades will encourage the diversification and growth of the region’s economy.”

“The EDA’s recent grant to improve Tennessee water systems will provide our communities with greater opportunities for growth,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn. “The grant will strengthen our infrastructure, create jobs, and generate investment in Johnson City.”

“This project will continue to encourage growth in the economy for the region by supporting necessary infrastructure improvements, and laying a strong foundation for job creation for the hardworking citizens of Johnson City,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “I am pleased to see the Economic Development Administration continuing to invest in Tennessee.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the First Tennessee 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 under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal through activities and programs that support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

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.