Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Revitalize the Brighton Reservation Trading Post in Hollywood, Florida

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.3 million grant to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., Hollywood, Florida, to support business expansion plans by renovating the Brighton Reservation Trading Post. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This project will support building demolition and make utilities infrastructure improvements needed to expand businesses critical to meeting increasing demands for fuel, provisions and serves on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation. This EDA grant will be matched with $3.1 million in local funds.

“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 create economic growth and opportunity for the Brighton Seminole community through the expansion of existing business operations.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The trading post serves as a hub for the community, especially during emergencies and hurricanes, and this EDA investment will provide foundational economic development for the Brighton Seminole Reservation.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFPRC). EDA funds SWFPRC 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. 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.