Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.8 Million to Improve Water and Sewer Services in Support of Business and Job Growth Efforts in Tennessee

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $1.8 million in the state of Tennessee to update and improve water infrastructure to support current and future business needs.

“President Biden is committed to making sure the United States once again leads the world across the board in infrastructure,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “These EDA investments will allow the towns of Centerville and Jonesborough make water infrastructure improvements needed to support businesses and create well-paying jobs for local citizens.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to support Centerville and Jonesborough’s strategies to provide the infrastructure that their business community need to grow and thrive.”

“The Economic Development Administration's new projects in the Volunteer State will help spur private sector growth and bolster critical infrastructure,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn. “EDA's investment will support over 300 jobs in Centerville and generate $37 million in private investment in Jonesborough.”

“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 Centerville and Jonesborough,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “I am pleased to see the Economic Development Administration continuing to invest in Tennessee.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• The town of Centerville, Tennessee, will receive a $1.1 million EDA grant to rehabilitate the Defeated Creek Drainage Basin to support the future expansion of existing companies and the recruitment of new industries into the area. The project, to be matched with $360,000 in local funds, is expected to create 250 jobs, retain 85 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment.
• The town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, will receive a $630,000 EDA grant for water and wastewater system improvements needed to support new businesses locating in the Washington County Industrial Park and provide service capacity for future industrial development. The project, to be matched with $630,000 in local funds, is expected to create nearly 180 jobs and generate $37 million in private investment.

These projects were made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Central Tennessee Development District (Centerville) and the First Tennessee Development District (Jonesborough). EDA funds these Economic Development Districts 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.