Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Construction of Tribal Health Center on Rocky Boy Reservation

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy Reservation, Box Elder, Montana, for construction of the Rocky Boy Health Center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will provide infrastructure to support construction of the health center, which will provide critical healthcare and related workforce development services to the Tribal community. This EDA grant will be matched with $66,209 in local funds and is expected to create 14 jobs and generate $58,845 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide critical infrastructure needed to help the Chippewa Cree Tribe boost capacity for healthcare delivery and workforce development on Tribal land.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment in the Chippewa Cree Tribe will provide essential healthcare services while creating new workforce development opportunities for Tribal members.”

“For too long Montana Tribes have lacked access to health care services and infrastructure,” said Senator John Tester. “The construction of the Rocky Boy Health Center will not only provide the Chippewa Cree Tribe with access to critical care right in their backyard, but will create local jobs and generate critical private investments to boost the local economy. Projects like these are what the American Rescue Plan was all about.”

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. 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.