June 2 - 8, 2022

EDA announced 14 investments from June 2-8, 2022, totaling $35,428,290, which is matched by $21,554,109 in local investments. These investments include the following: (1) $27,802,670 in 10 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 that will help create 1,696 jobs, save 709 jobs, and leverage $494,500,000 in private investments; (2) $7,415,620 in three Economic Adjustment Assistance projects 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, which includes two projects for $3,987,620 that will help create 717 jobs, save 55 jobs, and leverage $12,000,000 in private investments; and (3) $210,000 in one Partnership Planning project to support the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process.

• $27,802,670 in 10 American Rescue Plan projects, matched by $19,490,204 in local investments, as follows:
  • Four Economic Adjustment Assistance Projects for $12,279,362, matched by $4,602,506 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.
    • $3,876,372, matched by $889,416 in local investment, to the Instituto de Formación Democrática, San Juan/San Juan County, Puerto Rico, to support the Instituto de Formación Democrática with hiring a recovery coordinator and support staff to develop a working framework as a foundation for the Regional Center of Excellence in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The project will help address the lack of internal capacity among the local non-profits to respond to the Island's challenges, opportunities, and future disaster needs. Most of the economic challenges for Puerto Rico’s economic development have been brought about or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once completed, the project will support economic conditions that will lead to the creation of more higher skill employment opportunities and higher paying jobs, which will advance economic resiliency and strengthen the regional economy. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 185 jobs and save 185 jobs.
    • $3,200,000, matched by $1,570,200 in local investment, to the Town of Benson, Benson/Johnston County, North Carolina, to support the construction of sewer improvements to the Mingo Creek Pump Station, to serve an industrial area in Johnston County, North Carolina. The improvements will support the expansion of the Berry Global Manufacturing facility. Berry Global, Inc. is an essential business, and has played a key role in supplying medical and consumer products throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Once completed, the project will promote economic sustainability, expand job opportunities, and promote growth and resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 63 jobs and leverage $70,000,000 in private investment.
    • $2,700,000, matched by $1,095,880 in local investment, to the Town of Smithfield, Smithfield/Johnston County, North Carolina, to support the construction of sewer improvements to serve West Smithfield Business Park and facilitate needed capacity to Amazon fulfillment and sorting center in Johnston County, North Carolina. The region experienced significant disruptions due to the coronavirus pandemic and the project will help provide opportunities for dislocated workers. Once completed, the project will bolster job creation, spur private investment, and strengthen economic growth throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 500 jobs and leverage $100,000,000 in private investment.
    • $2,502,990, matched by $1,047,010 in local investment, to the City of Mebane, Mebane/Alamance County, North Carolina, to support the construction of an elevated water tank to serve expansions at Lotus Bakeries US Manufacturing LLC and UPS, Inc. in Alamance County, North Carolina. The increased water capacity will help increase business growth and development, which will help sustain the region following the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Once completed, the project will help the city remain more resilient during future pandemics, bolster job creation, spur private investment, and strengthen economic growth throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 526 jobs and leverage $258,400,000 in private investment.
  • One Coal Communities Commitment Project for $524,360, matched by $131,090 in local investment, to support coal-reliant communities’ expansion into new industry sectors and recovery from the pandemic.
    • $524,360, matched by $131,090 in local investment, to the City of Loretto, Loretto/Lawrence County, Tennessee, to support the expansion of its sewer system to newly acquired industrial property, to provide additional space for local companies to increase their operations in Lawrence County, Tennessee. The project will help the region recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, by meeting the accommodation needs of several local businesses now that restrictions on businesses have lifted in the area. The project will assist many businesses with reopening and help resolve issues with meeting the demand for their goods and services. Once completed, the project will provide existing businesses in Loretto an opportunity to create additional jobs, retain current positions, and strengthen the local economy, which has been impacted by the decline in the coal industry. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 80 jobs, save 309 jobs, and leverage $8,500,000 in private investment.
  • Five Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Projects for $14,998,948, matched by $14,756,608 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.
    • $3,970,000, matched by $6,000,000 in local investment, to the City of Easton/Nurture Nature Center/Redevelopment Authority of Easton Pennsylvania, Easton/Northampton County, Pennsylvania, to support the construction of a new 30,000 square foot Science and Creativity Center to help the city respond to a decline in tourism related business, revenue, and tax revenue in Pennsylvania. The Center will include 5,000 square feet of planetarium space (50-75 seat planetarium); 7,500 square feet of flexibly designed classroom, meeting, and laboratory space; 12,000 square feet of exhibit space (art and science); 3,500 square feet of office space; and 2,000 square feet of common areas and storage. 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 267 jobs, save 9 jobs, and leverage $51,500,000 in private investment.
    • $3,851,084, matched by $962,771 in local investment, to the Town of St. George, Tenants Harbor/Knox County (Project: Port Clyde/Knox County), Maine, to support the expansion of the Port Clyde town landing pier, to provide vehicle maneuvering room, and make miscellaneous improvements including, wheel stops, electric power and water to the floating docks, adding hydraulic hoists for catch/cargo, and installing facility lighting in Knox County, Maine. The Port Clyde Landing represents one of the only public facilities in the region that provides access for recreational boating, commercial fishing, and tourism related activities, all of which are key components of the local and regional economy. 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, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 15 jobs and save 151 jobs.
    • $3,731,439, matched by $6,088,137 in local investment, to the Riverfront Development Corporation/City of Memphis, Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee, to support the construction of a Tailout Trail in the Tom Lee Park, a stunning new riverfront park in Memphis being built on the storied Mississippi River. The Tailout Trail, will be one-of-a-kind, inviting visitors up and (during high water) over river habitat for spectacular views of the Mississippi, the Arkansas floodplain and the more than 325 bird species. The project will draw national attention and support to Memphis and is expected to bring thousands of new visitors to the riverfront. These visitors will have a significant impact on nearby restaurants, music venues and hotels. Once completed, the Tailout Trail will be a major focal point for eco-tourism in Memphis, spawning new small businesses associated with river touring, biking, and hiking, which will help increase employment opportunities, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantees estimate that this investment will help leverage $2,800,000 in private investment.
    • $2,623,625, matched by $1,500,000 in local investment, to the Town of Southbridge, Southbridge/Worcester County, Massachusetts, to support the final design and construction of a new multi-use path (bicycle and pedestrian) through Southbridge, Massachusetts. The Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail will expand upon the existing tourism industry in the region, as the trail will traverse downtown Southbridge and parallel to existing commercial corridors. By linking trails and businesses, the project will help boost the local economy in Southbridge and the region, which will help increase employment opportunities, spur private investment, and advance economic resiliency in the area. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 45 jobs, save 25 jobs, and leverage $3,300,000 in private investment.
    • $822,800, matched by $205,700 in local investment, to New Castle County, New Castle/New Castle County, Delaware, to support New Castle County with making trail infrastructure improvements to the Jack A. Markell Trail in Delaware. The project elements include grading, erosion and sedimentation control, paved surface replacement, landscaping, signage, and appurtenances, to improve access to outdoor recreation along the trail. In addition, improvements will include the demolition and removal of existing paved surfaces, which will be replaced with new and green infrastructure for stormwater management and street scape vegetation, to provide new accessible paved surfaces, curbing, and ADA accessible walkways. Once completed, the project will enhance the visitor experience in New Castle, which will assist in the area's recovery and make it more resilient to fluctuations in tourism and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 15 jobs and save 30 jobs.
• $7,415,620 in three Economic Adjustment Assistance projects, matched by $1,853,905 in local investments, as follows:
  • $3,428,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $857,000 in local investment, to the City of Georgetown, Georgetown/Georgetown County, South Carolina, to support construction of improvements to the city's water treatment plant to help mitigate risk to the clean water supply for the city and all its residents and businesses in Georgetown, South Carolina. The project will aid in the city’s recovery and resiliency from the COVID-19 pandemic and six years of consecutive disasters. In addition, several coal-fired power plants have closed in the area and will continue to close by 2027, which will result in the loss of more jobs and those losses will be felt heavily in small businesses such as restaurants, employment agencies, law offices, and banking. Once completed, the project 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.
  • $3,200,000, matched by $800,000 in local investment, to the Purchase Area Development District, Mayfield/Graves County, Kentucky, to support the establishment of a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), to provide financial support and technical assistance to businesses affected by the December 2021 storm, natural disasters (tornadoes), and the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted the Mayfield, Kentucky region. The RLF will provide capital access to businesses that cannot otherwise obtain traditional bank financing. These loans provide access to capital as gap financing to enable small businesses to grow and generate new employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits in the area. Once implemented, the RLF will provide access to working capital, which will help with recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, bolster job creation and retention, attract private investment, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 240 jobs, save 55 jobs and leverage $12,000,000 in private investment.
  • $787,620, matched by $196,905 in local investment, to the Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport/Scott County (Project: Clinton/Clinton County), Iowa, to support the purchase of equipment for the Welding and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) career technologies programs, to enhance and expand programming at the District's Regional Career Academy campuses in the communities of Clinton and Maquoketa, Iowa. The career academy programs encourage regional high school students and current and potential members of the workforce, who are seeking new opportunities, to obtain postsecondary degree credentials while also generating in-demand talent and meeting the skilled workforce needs of local employers. Once completed, the project will bolster long-term economic growth by providing a pipeline of skilled workers, which will enhance the advancement of economic resiliency throughout the region. The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 477 jobs.
• $210,000 in one Partnership Planning project, matched by $210,000 in local investment, to the Southwest Regional Development Commission, Slayton/Murray County, Minnesota, 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.