Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Wastewater System Improvements to Support Business and Job Growth in Stilwell, Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the city of Stilwell, Oklahoma, for wastewater system improvements needed to support economic development. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support installation of a permanent industrial wastewater pretreatment system, allowing expansion and growth of local manufacturing capacity. This EDA grant will be matched with $7 million in local funds and is expected to create 176 jobs and generate $50 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden and this Administration continue to support community-led efforts to strengthen and grow regional economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the infrastructure needed to help local businesses grow and thrive and create good-paying jobs.”

“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 EDA investment will provide Stilwell with the permanent wastewater treatment capacity they need to support their businesses and workers.”

“This is great news for the city of Stilwell,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). “I look forward to the growth opportunities this will bring to our community and the positive impact it will have on those who call Stilwell home.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Eastern Oklahoma Economic Development District (EODD). EDA funds EODD 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.