Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Water System Improvements Needed to Spur Business and Job Growth in Butte-Silver Bow, Montana

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the city and county of Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, to modernize the water system to boost economic development in the region. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will increase the reliability of water flow through the system, supporting existing businesses and create local business expansion opportunities. The EDA investment will be matched with $753,923 in local funds and is expected to create 82 jobs and generate $53 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide reliable water infrastructure that the local business community needs to grow, thrive, and strengthen the regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to stimulate American innovation and entrepreneurial activity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will bolster the economy in Butte-Silver Bow, modernizing the water system to encourage business growth and spurring private investment in the area.”

“With aging infrastructure in our communities and working with the legislature, the State of Montana has already invested more than $250 million in water and sewer infrastructure projects to ensure our communities have access to safe, clean drinking water and effective wastewater systems,” said Governor Greg Gianforte. “This federal grant will complement those efforts, making Butte-Silver Bow an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

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.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Headwaters RC&D Economic Development District (EDD). EDA funds the Headwaters RC&D EDD 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.

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.