Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance for Water Infrastructure Improvements to Support Business Growth in Aberdeen, South Dakota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of Aberdeen, South Dakota, to construct a new water tower and waterline to support business expansion. This EDA grant, to be matched with $2.1 million in local funds, is expected to create 100 jobs and generate $35 million in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to using the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in the city of Aberdeen will provide new water infrastructure to support nearby business expansion, leading to increased job opportunities and a stronger regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The water tower and waterlines constructed through this EDA investment will allow for local manufacturers to expand, including a PPE production facility, leading to new, good-paying jobs.”

“Aberdeen has the opportunity to improve its water infrastructure, create jobs and support the local business community,” said Senator Mike Rounds. “When we make investments in physical infrastructure, it helps drive economic development that would not otherwise be possible. I am pleased to see this funding directed toward a project that will generate a substantial return on investment for Aberdeen and the surrounding area.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG). EDA funds NECOG 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.