Grant

July 15 - 21, 2022

EDA announced 47 investments from July 15-21, 2022, totaling $84,108,972, which is matched by $60,149,291.33 in local investments. These investments include the following: (1) $69,784,883 in 33 American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance projects to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to respond to and recover from the devastating impacts to the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes 17 projects for $55,405,670 that will help create 2,874 jobs, save 3,314 jobs, and leverage $55,405,670 in private investments; (2) $2,105,100 in one Economic Adjustment Assistance project to help communities design and implement strategies to adjust or bring about change to their economy in response to structural damage to their underlying economic base that will help create 200 jobs and leverage $30,000,000 in private investment; (3) $10,681,845 in three Public Works projects to help communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure that will help create 1,000 jobs, save 25 jobs, and leverage $7,700,000 in private investments; (4) $272,144 in two Local Technical Assistance projects to strengthen the capacity of local or state organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective economic development programs; and (5) $1,265,000 in eight Partnership Planning projects to support the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process.

  • $69,784,883 in 33 American Rescue Plan projects, matched by $52,504,142 in local investments, as follows:
    • 13 Economic Adjustment Assistance Projects for $27,410,656 matched by $16,758,918 in local investments, to help communities nationwide plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through infrastructure, technical assistance, planning, and revolving loan programs designed to meet their local needs.
      • $4,009,525, matched by $1,718,367 in local investment, to Goshen College, Inc., Goshen/Elkhart County, Indiana, to support Goshen College with expanding its nursing school’s adult workforce training program and filling a critical shortage in the region’s skilled nursing workforce in Elkhart County, Indiana. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of skilled nurses and health care professionals in an emergency. As a regional workforce training provider for the healthcare industry, Goshen College is positioned to help make the region’s workforce ready for future healthcare emergencies, which will increase the region’s resiliency in the face of future health-related crises. The improvements to Westlawn Hall will include 18,000 square feet of classrooms, simulation rooms and exam rooms for high-fidelity simulation training as well as a large skills lab and teaching area. The increased enrollment in the school’s nursing program is expected to help create in-demand jobs in the region, which will assist local business expansions and recruitment of new businesses to the community. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 848 jobs.
      • $3,680,000, matched by $6,885,000 in local investment, to the Village of Vicksburg, Vicksburg/Kalamazoo County, Michigan, to support the Village of Vicksburg with making capacity upgrades to the Village’s wastewater collection system in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 2018 the Village conducted a study of its stormwater and wastewater treatment systems and identified limitations that inhibited the Village’s economic growth. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck it caused serious economic disruption throughout the Village. The project work includes lift station improvements, force main upgrades, and a new biofiltration system, to allow development of 100 acres of industrial space, more commercial development, and additional system users. Once completed, the project will help the region recover from the coronavirus pandemic, by promoting job creation and retention, which will bolster economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 200 jobs, save 150 jobs, and leverage $100,000,000 in private investment.
      • $3,173,064, matched by $793,266 in local investment, to the City of Woonsocket, Woonsocket/Providence County, Massachusetts, to support the acquisition of property and the renovations and upgrades to an existing commercial building to be utilized as a Food Hub and workforce and entrepreneur small business development facility in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The facility will serve as an indoor/outdoor public food hub market with spaces for leasing to vendors and entrepreneurs and the food hub will offer workforce development training and business counseling to entrepreneurs starting or growing a business in the foods industries that will strengthen the economic mobility and resiliency in the area. Once completed, the project will help the city sustain recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, which will strengthen and diversify the regional economy and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 64 jobs and leverage $200,000 in private investment.
      • $2,018,705, matched by $504,676 in local investment, to the Massachusetts Bay Community College, Wellesley Hills/Norfolk County (Project: Farmington/Middlesex County), Massachusetts, to support the purchase of equipment for the College's new Simulation Center (learning and training laboratory) for curricula in Health Sciences, Early Child Education, and Human Services. The equipment purchased for this project is urgently needed to provide residents in the region an opportunity to establish greater economic stability by having good paying, in-demand jobs, with career ladders that will allow them further economic success. In addition, training health care workers and early childcare educators will help close long-entrenched gaps in earnings and wealth in the area. Once completed, the project will diversify the local economy and promote growth throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 135 jobs.
      • $2,000,000, matched by $1,757,806 in local investment, to the Saint Bernard Parish Government/Saint Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, Chalmette/Saint Bernard County, Louisiana, to support the St. Bernard Parish Government with building a road to connect the St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District and a local highway in Chalmette, Louisiana. The project will provide improved access to nearby businesses and a hospital, encouraging business expansion and growth in the area. Once completed, the project will help generate jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen and diversify the regional economy. The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 195 jobs, save 390 jobs, and leverage $15,000,000 in private investment.
      • $2,000,000, matched by $500,000 in local investment, to the City of Belton, Belton/Bell County, Texas, to support the City of Belton with expanding the water and wastewater utility to serve a heavily industrial zoned area in Bell County, Texas. The project includes removing and installing approximately 3,800 LF of wastewater pipe extension along with water line improvements for the Rockwool Wastewater Treatment Plant. Additionally, the installation of a new wastewater lift station just west of the existing Temple-Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant. Once completed, the project will help strengthen and diversify the regional economy, which will attract private investment, create jobs, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 131 jobs, save 225 jobs, and leverage $12,100,000 in private investment.
      • $1,821,600, matched by $455,400 in local investment, to Miami Dade College, Miami/Miami-Dade County, Florida, to support the renovation of a building at the College’s north campus in Miami to serve as a workforce training facility to be known as the Construction Trade Institute. The Institute will offer hands-on learning and certifications in high-demand construction trades. The space will facilitate training for 120 students per year to entry-level paid apprenticeships or permanent employment that will lead to high skill, high wage careers in construction and unionized jobs. Once completed, the project will attract new industries, create jobs, increase global competitiveness, and promote economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 141 jobs.
      • $1,757,576, matched by $439,394 in local investment, to the City of Newburyport/ Newburyport Waterfront Trust, Newburyport/Essex County, Massachusetts, to support the repair and rehabilitation of existing bulkheads that are in an advanced state of failing deterioration and corrosion as well as protection against sea level rise flooding of the city's tourism and commercial fishing industry in Essex County, Massachusetts. The central waterfront Market Landing Park and Peter J. Matthews Memorial boardwalk are essential components of Newburyport’s tourism-based economy and are supported structurally by the bulkheads along the Merrimack River. The jobs associated tourism industry including the downtown restaurants and retail businesses in Newburyport, as well as local accommodations, museums, and visitor centers, are dependent upon the central waterfront park, boardwalk and boating facilities that are supported and protected by the bulkheads and essential to the attraction of a critical mass of visitors and tourists. The project will help provide long-term economic recovery that will retain and expand jobs and businesses for future generations and provide resilience to future economic disasters, which will further economic diversification throughout the region.
      • $1,660,000, matched by $415,878 in local investment, to the City of Fort Smith, Fort Smith/ Sebastian County, Arkansas, to support the city of Fort Smith with constructing roadway infrastructure to support growth at Stephens Industrial Park and the surrounding area in Sebastian County, Arkansas. The project will provide the access needed for manufacturing businesses to develop and grow, creating new job opportunities in the area. Once completed, the project will foster new private capital investment and partnerships, to boost economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 5 jobs, save 79 jobs, and leverage $119,300,000 in private investment.
      • $1,600,000, matched by $2,504,583 in local investment, to the City of Elgin, Elgin/Bastrop County, Texas, to support the city of Elgin with the extension and expansion of Roy Rivers Road in Bastrop County, Texas. The project work includes the construction of a concrete roadway, drainage facilities, wastewater improvements, and water improvements. Once completed, the new roadway will provide increased access to an existing and growing commercial and industrial park in the area, which will help boost emerging business opportunities and further economic diversification throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 116 jobs and leverage $11,600,000 in private investment.
      • $1,573,280, matched by $393,320 in local investment, to the Henry County Fiscal Court/City of Carrolton, New Castle/Henry County, Kentucky, to support Henry County Fiscal Court with making sewage system upgrades and expanding to support economic growth in New Castle, Kentucky. The project will provide the sewage infrastructure needed to support a major, new bourbon distillery and other businesses needs in the area. Once completed, the project will help the region recover from the coronavirus pandemic, by promoting job creation, attracting private investment, and bolstering economic resiliency. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 80 jobs and leverage $100,000,000 in private investment.
      • $1,496,478, matched by $392,228 in local investment, to US Ignite, Inc., Washington, District of Columbia, to support the launching of the DC Regional Startup and Workforce Training project, a two-year program accelerating technology-focused workforce and small business training in targeted opportunity zones in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia. The project will help improve the economic opportunities for small businesses and startups both of which were severely affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding access to digital skills and training. Once implemented, the project will provide residents and small businesses with new opportunities available in rapidly growing technology-based fields to include cybersecurity, data science, and cloud computing, which will help address the region's workforce strategy and contribute to the industry’s market growth and resiliency. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 135 jobs, save 125 jobs, and leverage $250,000 in private investment.
      • $620,428, with no local match, to Purdue University, West Lafayette/Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to support the establishment of the Multi-Prong Research Approach to Regional Development project, an innovative mixed methods approach to gather traditional metrics in addition to qualitative data on all regions participating in the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program. This three-year project will merge primary and secondary data in nearly real-time resulting in tools, resources, and recommendations to inform economic development policy and decision-makers as well as document best practices.
    • Four Indigenous Communities Project for $1,923,924, with no local match, to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities.
      • $875,079, with no local match, to the Laguna Economic Advancement, LLC, Laguna/Bernalillo County (Project: Laguna/Cibola County), New Mexico, to support the development of a master plan and design for a facility to house Tribal businesses along the Route 66 tourism corridor in Laguna, New Mexico. The project will help the Pueblo of Laguna Tribe plan for future business development and economic growth, creating opportunities for job creation for Tribal members. Once completed, the project will provide new employment opportunities and boost the socioeconomic factors for the Tribe.
      • $648,339, with no local match, to the Oneida Nation, Oneida/Outagamie County (Project: Oneida/Brown County), Wisconsin, to support the development of the tribe’s strategic energy transition plan to take advantage of ongoing changes in energy and mobility markets in Oneida, Wisconsin. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated business closures led to a significant loss of the tribe’s gaming and related revenues throughout 2020 and 2021. Resulting layoffs of nearly 70 percent of the tribe’s governmental, retail, and gaming staff devastated the local economy and slowed efforts to achieve a clean energy transition. The strategy will help the tribe understand how best to capitalize on the potential for new solar installations on tribal land and provide a path forward to electric vehicle and energy storage opportunities for the tribe’s fleet of vehicles. In addition, the strategy and action plan will help the tribe chart a course to economic recovery and energy security as a means to make the tribe more resilient to future economic shocks like the pandemic. Once completed, the project will provide the region with a roadmap to achieve long-term prosperity and growth, to help spur job creation and diversify the local economy.
      • $235,506, with no local match, to the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), Inc., Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee, to support the development of a regional workforce training system that will create and strengthen education and workforce development within the USET member Tribal Nations regions. USET staff will conduct gap analysis for each of the participating Tribal Nations that will analyze and provide information on existing employer-driven and market driven skills/programs that can be scaled, as well as provide access to economic training resources and develop and provide access to training modules. This system will take a collaborative approach to leveraging current resources and scale them to develop a more resilient economy for the Tribal Nations. Identification of training and technical assistance resources will contribute to the investment and enhancement of human capital in the participant Tribal Nations' workforce, which will help spur job creation and diversification of the local economy.
      • $165,000, with no local match, to the Pueblo of Zia, San Ysidro/Sandoval County, New Mexico, to support the creation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to support on-going economic development and plan for future economic development for San Ysidro, New Mexico. Such planning will help the Pueblo create a strategy to mitigate the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to build resiliency in the event of future economic disruptions. Once completed, the project will provide the region with a roadmap to achieve long-term prosperity and growth, to help spur job creation and diversification of the local economy.
    • 11 Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Projects for $25,809,530, matched by $10,881,930 in local investments, to help accelerate the recovery of the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation industry and build back the communities that depend on the industry.
      • $8,000,000, matched by $2,000,000 in local investment, to the Maymont Foundation, Richmond/Richmond City, Virginia, to support the Maymont Foundation with making renovations to the Maymont House Museum and Animal Habitats in Richmond, Virginia. Project elements for the museum renovations include fire protection, HVAC systems, the roof, and appurtenances. The Habitat renovations include the Bear, Fox, Bobcat, Coyote, and Porcupine areas as well as the Raptor Valley Viewing Deck and Amphitheater and Barn Engagement area. The improvements to a Virginia landmark and tourism destination will help improve accessibility and diversity in the area, which will spur tourism, attract businesses, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
      • $3,249,350, matched by $2,021,050 in local investment, to the City of Pigeon Forge/City of Gatlinburg/Sevier County/City of Sevierville/Tennessee Department of Transportation, Pigeon Forge/Sevier County, Tennessee, to support road infrastructure improvements in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and on U.S. 411 in Sevier County, Tennessee. The region is a regional tourism destination location and hosts many special events and activities each year, including the internationally recognized Wilderness Wildlife Week. For 31 years this free event open to the public has celebrated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the history of this region offering hundreds of free workshops, classes, hikes, environmental education programs, and performances attended by thousands of visitors each year. Installation of advanced smart signal technologies will provide near-term, cost-effective mobility and environmental benefits to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Once completed, the project will help boost the local economy in the region, which will help increase employment opportunities, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency in the area.
      • $2,800,000, matched by $700,000 in local investment, to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, South Charleston/Kanawha County, West Virginia, to support the completion of the final design of the mountain bike trails system, the development of all trails and bike facilities, field flag the trail alignments, and construction of trails, to enhance the bike trail system at Cacapon State Park in Charleston, West Virginia. The Cacapon Mountain Bike Trail system project will expand the existing 15-mile trail system to add an additional 35 miles of trails. The goal is to make the park a regional mountain bike destination by providing a diversity of trail types and difficulty levels to appeal to riders of all abilities. Once completed, the economic impact of these increased outdoor recreation and tourism activities will support local businesses and business expansion, and create jobs and private investment, which will advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 36 jobs, save 46 jobs, and leverage 934,000 in private investment.
      • $2,400,000, matched by $600,000 in local investment, to the Chesapeake Conservancy, Inc./ Cambridge Waterfront Development, Annapolis/Anne Arundel County (Project: Cambridge/Dorchester County), Maryland, to support the construction of a new waterfront Promenade and associated improvements, which will serve as the communal focal point of the Cambridge waterfront redevelopment. The revitalization of this property will serve as the future “Gateway” to Cambridge, Maryland, as it is prominently located adjacent to the highly traffic Ocean Gateway (Route 50), which serves as the primary artery from the Mid-Atlantic region to the Maryland beaches. Once completed, the project will help the region become more resilient to fluctuations in tourism and assist in the region's recovery, which will help increase employment opportunities, save jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency in the area. The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 73 jobs, save 7 jobs, and leverage $20,000,000 in private investment.
      • $1,875,856, matched by $2,096,905 in local investment, to Westminster College, Fulton/Callaway County, Missouri, to fund the Restoring America's National Churchill Museum project, which supports Westminster College with replacing the plaza/deck to make the museum accessible to visitors and support continued conservation/preservation of the Wren church, a highlight of the museum. In addition, the project will support tourism and outdoor recreation recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, which will assist in the region's recovery and make it more resilient to fluctuations in tourism, increase employment opportunities, save jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
      • $1,855,700, matched by $795,300 in local investment, to the City of Rensselaer, Rensselaer/Jasper County, Indiana, to support the city of Rensselaer with making streetscape infrastructure improvements that will help boost tourism in the city’s downtown core. The project will help drive the growth of the local tourism sector by providing downtown Rensselaer with new sidewalks, pedestrian/bicycle paths, improved ADA access, stormwater improvements, new lighting, new trash receptacles, and renovated brick streets on Van Rensselaer and Harrison streets in Indiana. Once completed, the project will help strengthen tourism recovery from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic in the area, which will help restore and retain existing jobs to build resiliency to withstand future economic disruptions. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 50 jobs, save 69 jobs, and leverage $200,000 in private investment.
      • $1,600,000, matched by $400,000 in local investment, to the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Center, Lake Charles/Calcasieu County, Louisiana, to support the construction of the New Imperial Calcasieu Mardi Gras Museum with associated parking in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The project consists of a new 6,000 SF one story museum on approximately 0.6 acres of land. Additionally, the project will also contain the construction of an outdoor courtyard and a parking lot. While Lake Charles' tourism industry is growing, the project will further enhance the industry, particularly as the Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana grew significantly prior to the 2020 pandemic. Once completed, the project will assist in the region's recovery and make it more resilient to fluctuations in tourism, which will help increase employment opportunities, spur private investment, and promote the economic resilience of a region dependent on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 88 jobs, save 66 jobs, and leverage $1,700,000 in private investment.
      • $1,254,024, matched by $313,506 in local investment, to the Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/Hennepin County (Project: Chaska/Carver County), Minnesota, to support Regents of the University of Minnesota with making improvements at the Landscape Arboretum parking lot and entrance, to better accommodate visitors and events in Carver County, Minnesota. Tourism and events at the Arboretum are important sources of economic activity in the county and when the COVID-19 pandemic struck nearly 400 Arboretum events and reservations were canceled resulting in more than $300,000 in lost revenues. This exacerbated the region’s long-term decline in rates of new job creation. The parking lot expansion will help make the Arboretum a more attractive and convenient venue for future events and tourists, which will help the region recover from the pandemic and be more resilient in the face of future economic disruptions. Once completed, the project will help increase employment opportunities, save jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 50 jobs, save 25 jobs, and leverage $25,000,000 in private investment.
      • $1,000,000, matched by $250,169 in local investment, to Saline County, Benton/Saline County, Arkansas, to support Saline County with preserving and repurposing the second oldest bridge in the State of Arkansas, the Old River Bridge, over the Saline River between Haskell and Benton. The restored bridge will be a critical link in the proposed Southwest Trail, a multi-use trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs. The project will have a statewide economic impact as well as regional impact by drawing tourists to the state to engage in outdoor recreation. Once completed, the project will help the region become more resilient to fluctuations in tourism and assist in the region's recovery, which will help increase employment opportunities and advance economic resiliency in the area.
      • $1,000,000, matched by $250,000 in local investment, to Garland County, Hot Springs/ Garland County, Arkansas, to support Garland County with constructing the Southwest Trail, a multi-use trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs, Arkansas. The project provides an alternative way to attract tourists to the West Central Arkansas area, after the industry was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering more outdoor recreation activities. In addition to this regional impact, the project will have a statewide economic impact by drawing tourists to the state to engage in outdoor recreation. Once completed, the project will enhance the visitor experience in Hot Springs, which will assist in the area's recovery and make it more resilient to fluctuations in tourism and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
      • $774,600, matched by $1,455,000 in local investment, to the City of Pigeon Forge/City of Gatlinburg/Sevier County/City of Sevierville/Tennessee Department of Transportation, Pigeon Forge/Sevier County, Tennessee, to fund the Sevier County Partners Economic Recovery and Long-Term Resilience Project, to develop a Recovery and Resilience Framework to facilitate the engagement of diverse community representation ensuring multiple avenues for sharing ideas and feedback in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The project will help to define risks, assess vulnerabilities of businesses and community resources, and evaluate strategies and prioritize projects to build economic resilience and be prepared to respond quickly to future economic and environmental challenges. Once completed, the project will assist in the region's recovery and make it more resilient to fluctuations in tourism, which will help increase employment opportunities, save jobs, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
    • Five Coal Communities Commitment Projects for $14,640,773, matched by $24,863,294 in local investments, to support coal-reliant communities’ expansion into new industry sectors and recovery from the pandemic.
      • $4,400,000, matched by $5,750,000 in local investment, to the University of Pikeville/City of Pikeville, Pikeville/Pike County, Kentucky, to fund construction of the UPIKE Ag-Tech Innovation Center of Excellence, an ag-tech research and education center to be located at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park (KEIP) at Marion Branch in Pikeville. The facility will include a greenhouse, classroom space, laboratory, and offices, to lead research efforts in high-tech agriculture that supports the continued development and long-term viability of the industry and its key stakeholders while also supporting increasing worldwide demands for food production. Once completed, the project will support entrepreneurial and business development strategies for eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia and the education of the next generation of the agricultural industry workforce, which will assist a region highly impacted by recent negative impacts from downturns in the coal economy and further economic diversification throughout the region.
      • $4,057,900, matched by $2,250,000 in local investment, to the Wayne County Fiscal Court, Monticello/Wayne County, Kentucky, to support the Wayne County Fiscal Court with construction of a natural gas line to serve the city of Monticello, Kentucky. The project will help support job growth in the area following negative economic impact from both decline in the coal industry and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the project will meet the demand from local industries for a more reliable energy source and support recruitment of industry to the area. Once completed, the project will help the region diversify its local economy, create, and save jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 2 jobs, save 252 jobs, and leverage $30,000 in private investment.
      • $3,184,491, matched by $14,507,129 in local investment, to the City of Huntingburg, Huntingburg/Dubois County, Indiana, to support the City of Huntingburg with upgrading its wastewater treatment facility to provide enhanced capacity for regional business growth in Dubois County, Indiana. The project will provide added wastewater treatment capacity to attract new companies and allow for existing businesses to expand in the six-county region that has been impacted by the declining use of coal. Once completed, the project will help the city sustain recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, which will strengthen and diversify the regional economy and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 400 jobs, save 1,850 jobs, and leverage $200,000,000 in local investment.
      • $2,086,674, matched by $2,086,673 in local investment, to Columbus County, Whiteville/Columbus County, North Carolina, to fund water improvements to serve the International Logistics Park (ILP) mega site located in Columbus County, North Carolina. The project includes water supply improvements that will increase water capacity and extend water infrastructure to serve the 1,100 acres ILP. Once completed, the project will assist a region highly impacted by recent negative impacts from downturns in the coal economy and help boost emerging business opportunities in the area. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 110 jobs and leverage $17,900,000 in private investment.
      • $911,708, matched by 269,492 in local investment, to West Virginia University, Morgantown/Monongalia County, West Virginia, to support West Virginia University with paying for salaries, supplies, travel, equipment, and contractual services for the West Virginia Small Satellite Center of Excellence (WVSSCE). The WVSSCE develops and delivers world-class, third-party small satellite (SmallSat) modeling/simulation software verification and validation, advanced aerospace manufacturing, and research and development services to commercial, academic, domestic, and foreign government customers. Once completed, the project will create high-paying, high-tech job opportunities, save jobs, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 15 jobs, save 30 jobs, and leverage $269,492 in private investment.
  • $2,105,100 in one Economic Adjustment Assistance project, matched by $526,275 in local investment, as follows:
    • $2,105,100 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $526,275 in local investment, to the City of Batesville, Batesville/Independence County, Arkansas, to support the construction of roads and related water and sewer infrastructure to serve their current industrial park. A coal-centered community for decades, the city is a regional hub for industry in and around Independence County, Arkansas. With closure of a major coal plant located in the county, the city anticipates the loss of jobs and impact on the community will be substantial. To alleviate these effects, the project will include the construction of three new roads to improve access and connection to the industrial park. Once completed, the project will help the city meet the growing demand for growing industrial space in the area. Additionally, the project would improve water and sewer lines to better serve the park, which will help support job retention, create new opportunities, and attract private investment to an area that has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 200 jobs and leverage $30,000,000 in private investment.
  • $10,681,845 in three Public Works projects, matched by $5,792,445 in local investments, as follows:
    • $5,019,200, matched by $1,254,800 in local investment, to the Athens County Port Authority, Athens/Athens County, Ohio, to support the construction of a new building to accommodate the expansion plans of local bio-technology companies currently located at the nearby Ohio University Innovation Center in Athens, Ohio. Athens County suffers from long-term economic distress related to the decline in coal manufacturing in the region. The coronavirus pandemic’s impacts exacerbated the region’s distress and caused significant job losses and business closures. The building will create a space for locally-grown businesses to expand and create new jobs, and it will be an asset for the region’s ongoing recovery and resilience to future economic shocks. Once completed, the project will help the region continue to diversify its industries and play a vital role in the economic wellbeing of the local community, to serve as a catalyst for unprecedented regional economic growth. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 150 jobs and leverage $5,000,000 in private investment.
    • $4,162,645, matched by $4,162,645 in local investment, to the John A. Logan College, Carterville/Williamson County, Illinois, to support the construction of a new Career and Technical Center (CTC) to spur workforce development in critical and in-demand industries in the Williamson County, Illinois region. While the COVID-19 pandemic devastated local businesses and led to higher unemployment and business closures, the pandemic also created demand for worker retraining in growing regional industries including advanced manufacturing. As a result, local leaders and the College determined that new career training programs in welding and computer numerically controlled (CNC) operation would help fill local businesses’ demand for skilled workers as the pandemic recedes. The new CTC will include classroom and demonstration space for training in a variety of fields including advanced manufacturing and related skills and technologies. The new programs will ensure that the regional workforce has the skills to meet employers’ needs, which will help bolster job creation, increase private investment, and strengthen the regional economy. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 200 jobs, save 25 jobs, and leverage $2,700,000 in private investment.
    • $1,500,000, matched by $375,000 in local investment, to the South Texas College, McAllen/Hidalgo County, Texas, to support the construction of a new 20,000 square feet facility for the Continuing Education training program that will be effectively managed by South Texas College's Department of Continuing, Professional, and Workforce Education in McAllen, Texas. The facility will be used to provide fast-track hybrid healthcare training and leading to certifications. The project work entails the site work, 95,000 square feet parking lot and drive, and landscaping associated with the facility. Once completed, the project will support the growth of existing businesses and increase educational opportunities, which will support workforce development, bolster job creation, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 650 jobs.
  • $272,144 in two Local Technical Assistance projects, matched by $206,429.33 as follows:
    • $197,144, matched by $131,429.33 in local investment, to the Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO), Inc., to support the development of a Regional Broadband Strategic Plan, to improve regional economic development capacity by developing a regional broadband expansion master plan covering the four counties within SEAGO (Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz). This Regional Broadband Plan will prepare SEAGO and its participating community stakeholders for a regional broadband middle-mile network engineering and design plan. Once completed, the project will provide economic stability, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
    • $75,000, matched by $75,000 in local investment, to the City of Sandstone, Sandstone/Pine County, Minnesota, to support the City of Sandstone with conducting a logistics and transportation analysis of Pine County, Minnesota. The city will prepare a study that will investigate the potential for intermodal facility development in the three business parks located in Pine County. Once completed, the project will provide economic stability, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy.
  • $1,265,000 in eight Partnership Planning projects listed below, matched by $1,120,000 in local investments, to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
    • Tri-County Regional Planning, Lansing/Ingham County, MI ($210,000)
    • Eastern Upper Peninsula RP&DC, Sault Sainte Marie/Chippewa County, MI ($210,000)
    • Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, Ferdinand/Dubois County, IN ($210,000)
    • Region IV Development Association, Inc., Twin Falls/Twin Falls Co, ID (225,000)
    • Midcoast EDD, Damariscotta/Lincoln County, ME ($70,000)
    • Southern Maine P&DC, Saco/York County, ME ($70,000)
    • Greater Portland COG, Portland/Cumberland County, ME ($210,000)
    • Northwest Hills COG, Goshen/Litchfield County, CT ($60,000)