Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $993,265 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Expand Manufacturing Sector in Carbondale, Illinois

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

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $993,265 grant to the city of Carbondale, Illinois, to reconstruct a portion of North McRoy Drive to support businesses in the Bicentennial Industrial Park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

This grant would allow for an increase in heavy-weight traffic to accommodate expanded capacity at the industrial park in a region that has been impacted by the declining use of coal. The EDA investment will be matched with $110,363 in local funds and is expected to create 15 jobs, retain 44 jobs and generate $3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project in Carbondale provides critical infrastructure upgrades that are needed to support the region’s manufacturing industry, spur private investment in southern Illinois and diversify the local economy.”

“I’m thankful to our federal partners for their support of this locally-driven economic renewal initiative in Carbondale’s Industrial Park, which will spur $3 million in private investment and invite new business to put down roots in the region,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Supporting coal communities as they transition into 21st century production is one of the best investments we can make, which is why my administration has created two downstate manufacturing academies to help residents access the jobs of the future. I’m proud to welcome these federal funds to expand economic opportunity in Carbondale.”

“The American Rescue Plan is making an impact right here at home. With this significant federal investment secured by Democrats and President Biden, Carbondale will have an opportunity to rebuild from the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I look forward to seeing Southern Illinois put the refurbished North McRoy Drive to good use by bringing more business to the region’s Bicentennial Industrial Park.”

“Thanks to the Democrat’s American Rescue Plan, local infrastructure projects like this one across Illinois are receiving the resources they need to get over the finish line,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Rebuilding a portion of this road in Carbondale will help drive new economic activity to existing local businesses, create new employment opportunities and preserve jobs so families can continue to thrive.”

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.