Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Establish Agriculture Workforce Training Program in Miami, Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Miami, Oklahoma, to develop an agriculture workforce training program. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program.

This project will provide greenhouse equipment and on-the-job training in cultivating native seeds and crops, preparing workers for high-skill jobs, and bringing back traditions of the Tribe’s native foods.

“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 develop a highly-skilled workforce to support growth in the local agriculture industry.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will support hands-on training in agriculture, creating new job opportunities for Tribal and community members.”

“This is great news for the Peoria Tribe and for the Miami community,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). “This workforce training program will cultivate new job opportunities and ensure both a positive economic and agricultural impact in the area for generations to come.”

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.