Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.2 Million to Support Elk Valley Rancheria Indian Tribe Business Development and Job Growth Efforts

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.2 million grant to Elk Valley Rancheria, Crescent City, California, to support a new, Tribally-owned enterprise and foster economic growth and job creation. To be matched with more than $1.5 million in other Federal and local funds, this EDA project is expected to create eight jobs.

“President Biden is committed to helping Tribal communities recover and rebuild,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Elk Valley Rancheria will provide employment opportunities for Tribal members and support economic resilience and growth.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led strategies designed to create economic opportunity and jobs,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This project will support the construction of a gas station and convenience store on Tribal land, fostering local economic resilience and contributing to job growth.”

“California is committed to advancing an equitable recovery that lifts up all our communities with the supports they need to come roaring back from this pandemic,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This investment will create economic opportunities at a Tribally-owned enterprise in Elk Valley Rancheria, supporting a regional strategy that will create jobs and help this corner of our state build back stronger.”

“As we rebuild from the pandemic, it’s vital we honor our commitment to Tribal communities and help spur economic development for these underserved populations,” said Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02). “This convenience store and gas station will meet critical community development and employment needs on a reservation in an area with some of the highest unemployment rates in California. I’m grateful to the Biden administration for heeding our call and providing funds for this much-needed project.”

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.