Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.9 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Expand Bioproducts Laboratories at South Dakota State University

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.9 million grant to South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, South Dakota, to purchase equipment needed to expand the capacity of the Dakota Bioproducts Institute to develop products for commercialization. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The project will allow for testing and scaling up of bioprocess innovations, creating job opportunities through new and expanded businesses and developing a high-skilled workforce. This EDA grant will be matched with $2 million in local funds and is expected to create 204 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to supporting communities across the country as they build a better America,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will play an important role in expanding the bioproducts industry in South Dakota to help grow and expand the regional economy.”

“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. “We are pleased to partner with South Dakota State University to support research and development in bioproducts.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the First District Association of Local Governments (First District). EDA funds First 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 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. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.