Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Support Construction of a Healthcare Facility in Anthony, New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of Anthony, New Mexico, to support construction of an Urgent Care medical facility. This EDA grant, to be matched with $375,000 in local funds, is expected to create 35 jobs.

“The COVID-19 crisis has shown, and tragically continues to show, the critical importance of the work being carried out by our nation’s healthcare workers, and this EDA investment in Anthony will help increase the region’s capacity to continue to provide quality healthcare to its citizens, while creating good-paying jobs and boosting the regional economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “President Biden is dedicated to supporting local communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger, and this robust investment is proof.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to improve coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The Urgent Care facility constructed through this EDA investment will provide essential healthcare services to the region and create quality jobs in telehealth and healthcare.”

“This critical health infrastructure investment in Anthony will have a significant impact in addressing urgent rural health care needs,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “New Mexico will continue to invest in making health care more affordable and accessible to all families in every corner of our state -- and we are grateful to the Biden administration for this federal partnership, which will ensure Anthony and the region have the opportunity to build back even better and healthier as we recover from the pandemic.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a variety of public health and economic challenges for rural New Mexico. I have been moved by the resiliency and grit of these communities throughout the past year. That is why I fought so hard to include funding in the CARES Act to help New Mexico’s rural health care systems and frontline workers,” said Senator Martin Heinrich. “This funding will allow Anthony to increase its capacity to deliver high quality health care to the community, create jobs, and boost the local economy. I am confident that with this type of assistance and all the resources in the American Rescue Plan we will continue to rebuild our economy in a way that supports everyone.”

“Health care is vital for the wellbeing of New Mexicans and all Americans. Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to strengthen and protect New Mexicans’ health care,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “This investment in Anthony to build an Urgent Care facility will create dozens of new jobs in health care, expand access to care through innovative telehealth, and boost the local economy.”

“I am excited to see construction of a new Urgent Care medical facility located in Anthony, New Mexico,” said Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (NM-02). “The Coronavirus pandemic highlighted the need for increased access to healthcare for our rural areas, especially those as rural as southern New Mexico. This new facility will create jobs and expand healthcare services for those who truly need it as our communities continue to recover.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Central Council of Governments (SCCOG). EDA funds SCCOG 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 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136 PDF), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.