Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $511,855 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase High-Speed Internet Connectivity in Greenwich, New York

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $511,855 grant to Washington County Fair, Inc., Greenwich, New York, to increase local internet connectivity. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support the installation of high-speed internet service with live broadcasting capabilities at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The EDA investment will be matched with $127,964 in local funds and is expected to create 40 jobs, retain 500 jobs and generate $40,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“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. “This project will allow for more events and increased attendance, enhancing local economic resilience.”

“I am proud to deliver this $500,000+ federal investment to dial up faster internet for Washington County, which will help create new good-paying jobs, boost our businesses, improve healthcare, and give residents the digital skills they need to succeed in the modern economy,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “Alongside the historic funding I secured for local governments and broadband infrastructure in the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Washington County will now be able to plug its residents and business owners into the future.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board (LCLGRPB). EDA funds LCLGRPB 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.