Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Provide Critical Infrastructure to Support Business Growth in Carlsbad, New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico, to replace critical water infrastructure on the Double Eagle Waterline. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The investment will increase local water security and sustainability and support business growth. The EDA investment will be matched by $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 200 jobs and generate $233 million in private investment.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to respond to and recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will attract new businesses to the city of Carlsbad, creating a resilient regional economy.”

“Economic Development Administration investments play an important role in advancing locally-led economic development strategies that drive critical workforce and business expansion efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide critical water infrastructure to support new and existing businesses in Carlsbad, creating good-paying jobs for the community.”

“Modernizing water infrastructure is a critical step toward protecting both public health and the environment. These funds will support this important work in Carlsbad and create jobs in the local community, building on the work the state is doing to strengthen and expand infrastructure and climate resiliency across the state,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “My thanks to President Biden for his leadership and to our delegation members for supporting these investments in New Mexico.”

“The Double Eagle Water System is critical to the long-term water security for the community of Carlsbad,” said Senator Martin Heinrich. “I am proud to welcome these federal resources from the American Rescue Plan that will help maintain this vital water infrastructure for southeastern New Mexico.”

“The American Rescue Plan continues to make investments in New Mexico communities where it’s needed the most,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “I’m glad this EDA grant will ensure Carlsbad and surrounding communities have access to clean water while creating more job opportunities in the process.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeastern New Mexico EDD (SENMEDD). EDA funds SENMEDD 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 EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

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.