Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $900,000 to Support Revitalization of Downtown Bladenboro Business District in Elizabethtown, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $900,000 grant to Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc., (BBAI), Elizabethtown, North Carolina, to support the economic revitalization of the city’s downtown Bladenboro business district. This EDA grant, to be matched with $600,000 in local investment, is expected to create 44 jobs.

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Elizabethtown as they advance their plans to diversify and grow the region’s economy,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This EDA investment will build a small business center that will house retail and other businesses and help revitalize an area economically impacted by multiple hurricanes and the coronavirus pandemic.”

“Our Eastern North Carolina communities have shown resilience through hurricanes and a global pandemic, and they’re ready to move forward,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This investment will help Bladen County’s workforce and economy continue to grow and thrive.”

“This announcement is a big win for Elizabethtown and surrounding areas,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “This grant will go to Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc. to help grow economic opportunities and revitalize the Bladenboro downtown business district, which desperately needs assistance after being impacted by Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Matthew. I applaud the Department of Commerce for their continued investment in North Carolina to further attract future economic development projects, investment, and job growth for future generations.”

The new business center will serve as the town’s commercial center, replacing facilities demolished following the devastation of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, to facilitate meaningful work towards economic recovery, growth, and resiliency.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeastern Economic Development Commission. EDA funds Southeastern Economic Development Commission 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.

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.