Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Improve Industrial Park in San Juan County, New Mexico

Award is Part of the Department of Commerce’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to San Juan County, New Mexico, to make infrastructure improvements to the San Juan County Industrial Park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

This project will provide infrastructure improvements to support future growth at the industrial park. The EDA investment will be matched with $699,760 in local funds.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build a better America following the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support San Juan County as they work to diversify their economy and create new, good paying jobs for the community.”

“The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate the economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project is part of EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment and will provide support as the local economy transitions from the coal industry to new fields, attracting additional businesses to San Juan County and supporting a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

“I am proud to welcome this investment from the American Rescue Plan that will assist San Juan County as it plans for a more diversified Four Corners economy,” said Senator Martin Heinrich. “A modern industrial park will be essential to attracting new businesses and entrepreneurs to the region and creating new, good-paying jobs in growing fields.”

“The American Rescue Plan continues to uplift New Mexico communities as they recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “I’m glad this investment of over $1 million will help San Juan County develop emerging industries to help strengthen our local economy and create new, good-paying jobs.”

“This EDA funding will support San Juan County and the community’s efforts to grow the economy and diversify the workforce,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “I’m glad to see this important investment from the American Rescue Plan in my district for our gente.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments. EDA funds Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments 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.

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of EDA’s $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities.

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.