Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Tribal Aquaculture Industry in Mashpee, Massachusetts

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.1 million grant to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Mashpee, Massachusetts, to support the growing Tribal aquaculture industry and blue economy. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This investment is a good example of EDA’s commitment to Indigenous communities, as well as to addressing Equity as one of its top investment priorities. This grant will provide workforce training programs and create jobs for the Mashpee Wampanoag Shellfish Farm.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that Tribal communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA project will support long-term economic development for the Mashpee Wampanoag Shellfish Farm and ensure its continued participation in the growing aquaculture industry and blue economy.”

“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 will help create jobs in the Tribal community, promote workforce development, and provide resources to build resiliency in the local economy for decades to come.”

“I voted for the American Rescue Plan in part because it would benefit tribal nations, so I’m very glad that the EDA is providing this grant to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to support its Shellfish Farm,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This $1.1 million grant will help promote economic development for the Tribe, offer workforce training programs, and advance the Tribe’s growing aquaculture industry.”

“Tribal communities have a unique stake in the health and future of our Commonwealth’s aquaculture industry,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “This million-dollar grant to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe will serve the community in its efforts to create jobs and pass on unmatched expertise in aquaculture techniques and shellfish farming. I commend the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe for their steadfast commitment to rebuilding these fisheries and thank Barnstable County officials and the Biden administration for their work to secure this funding. We must continue to reaffirm our commitment to Indigenous communities by providing long-term support as they build economic and cultural resilience.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by Barnstable County, acting through the Cape Cod Commission. EDA funds this economic development district 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 Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs.

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.