Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Establish an Environmental Education Center in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to Building Bridges Across the River, Washington, D.C., to build an environmental education center at the new 11th Street Bridge Park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will help attract tourist and visitors to the city. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.5 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain more than 200 jobs and generate $7 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates. “The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to supporting the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sector as it works to recover and rebuild following the pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This project will help attract visitors to the new District park while supporting economic stability in the region.”

“The travel and tourism industry is an important part of many local economies across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will help leverage a regional asset to boost local tourism, create jobs, and build resiliency for decades to come.”

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. 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.