Grant

May 22 - 26, 2017

$1,919,106 to the City of Eugene, the Lane Council of Governments, and the Eugene Water and Electric Board, Eugene, Oregon, to fund the installation of fiber-optic cable to deliver high-speed Internet service to businesses located in Eugene’s Central Business District area. Completion of the project will stabilize the region’s labor market through job creation and business expansion in information technology infrastructure. This investment is part of a $3,838,212 project that the grantees estimate will create 215 jobs.
$1.76 million to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, Charlotte, Virgin Islands, to fund improvement and repair of the terminal area and shoreline at the Christiansted Seaplane Water Gut Seaplane Facility in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The project will address aging infrastructure that lacks stabilization of the shoreline bulkhead and plane terminal embarkation. The improvements to the facility will increase ridership and revenue, expansion of various services, and job growth for the region and surrounding territory. This investment is part of a $2.2 million project that the grantee estimates will save 42 jobs and leverage $1.9 million in private investment.
$1.5 million to the City of Stilwell, Oklahoma, to fund upgrades to the City of Stilwell’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to improve its wastewater processing capacity. The project will provide high quality water to support increased manufacturing operations in the county. This upgrade will prevent seasonal layoffs, mitigate economic distress, and diversify the local economy. This investment is part of a $3 million project that the grantee estimates will create 100 jobs, save 15 jobs, and leverage $6.5 million in private investment.
$1.5 million to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, to fund construction of the Ochsner Center for Innovation in the Jefferson Highway Economic District in Louisiana. The center will serve as a hub for technology-focused job trainings, education seminars, and as a collaborative workspace for research and development of innovative healthcare solutions. Completion of the project will provide job opportunities and economic development for the distressed area, and serve as the anchor for the growth of the bio and life science industry in Louisiana. This investment is part of a $3 million project that the grantee estimates will create 155 jobs, save 135 jobs, and leverage $3.9 million in private investment.
$1.215 million to the Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority, Athens, Alabama, to fund the construction of water infrastructure to accommodate a new aviation manufacturing facility in Limestone County. The plant will be the first of its kind in the United States to mass produce silicon carbide materials for ceramic matrix composite components for aircraft engines. In addition, the improvements will help strengthen and enhance diversification of the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster, boost new commercial and industrial development, and create opportunities for job creation in the region. This investment is part of a $2.43 million project that the grantee estimates will create 204 jobs and leverage $221 million in private investment.
$500,000 to the Eastern Oklahoma County Partnership, Inc., Choctaw, Oklahoma, to fund an economic development strategic plan that serves unmet needs in Northeast Oklahoma County communities that are suffering from a decline in the oil and gas sector. The strategic plan includes Foreign Direct Investment planning and feasibility, design, and planning support for economic development projects arising from the completion of a major transportation investment in the region. This project will be the catalyst for business expansion and job growth that will lead to private investment in the local area. This investment is part of a $1 million project.
$312,320 to the Terrebonne Port Commission, Houma, Louisiana, to fund improvements to Rome Woodard Street, a prime access road to existing as well as proposed Port of Terrebonne business sites in Louisiana. The project will include installing drainage and sewer line connections and completing the roadway with paving to allow additional access to the Port. The improvements to the roadway will attract new tenants to the area and expand businesses associated with ship fabrication, off-shore construction and gas related manufacturing and maintenance, which will promote job growth for the Port and surrounding region. This investment is part of a $425,706 project that the grantee estimates will create 5 direct and 100-200 indirect jobs, and leverage $340,000 in private investment.
$300,000 to the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, Durango, Colorado, to provide resources to capitalize a Revolving Loan Fund that will cover the region of southwest Colorado, which comprises the counties of Archuleta, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, and San Juan. This investment will support expanding small business development by providing access to capital and entrepreneurship services, while increasing employment opportunities in economically distressed communities across the region. This investment is part of a $600,000 project.
$199,200 to the Acadiana Planning Commission, Inc., Lafayette, Louisiana, to fund the hiring of a local disaster recovery manager to develop and implement recovery plans for the communities within the regional planning commission boundary impacted by past flooding events. The goal of the position is to be a part of a local disaster recovery management team, which will serve as the liaison between the state, federal and local partners, to reduce the risks from interruptions caused by disasters. The recovery manager will help to create economic stability in the region and retain existing businesses. This investment is part of a $249,000 project.
$144,000 to the Livingston Economic Development Council, Livingston, Louisiana, to fund the completion of an economic resiliency strategy. The strategy will not only promote revitalization of the economic and social environment but will also assist in marketing Livingston Parish as a premiere location for business expansion and tourism opportunities. Additionally, the project will encourage economic diversification and entrepreneurial development opportunities for communities across the region. This investment is part of a $180,000 project.
$80,000 to the North Delta Planning and Development District, Monroe, Louisiana, to fund the hiring of a local disaster recovery manager to develop and implement recovery plans for communities impacted by disasters. The goal of the position is to serve as the liaison between the state, federal and local partners, to reduce the risks from interruptions caused by natural events. The recovery manager will help to create a stable economic climate for business attraction and retention, as well as improving the well-being of the region’s citizens when faced with potential devastating disasters. This investment is part of a $100,000 project.
$80,000 to the Coordinating and Development Corporation, Shreveport, Louisiana, to establish a local disaster recovery manager for the Northwest Louisiana area to aid in reclamation from past natural disasters and increase resiliency in the face of future events. This investment will help create a more stable economic climate for business attraction and retention, as well as greatly enhance disaster resiliency planning, capacity building, and information technology assistance associated with economic recovery efforts to ensure continuity of operations and a more robust, sustainable economy in the event of future disasters. This investment is part of a $100,000 project.
$70,000 to the Kisatchie Delta Regional Planning and Development district, Alexandria, Louisiana, to fund the hiring of a local disaster recovery manager to develop and implement recovery plans for communities impacted by disasters. The goal of the position is to serve as the liaison between the state, federal and local partners, to reduce the risks from interruptions caused by natural events. The recovery manager will help to create a stable economic climate for business attraction and retention, as well as improving the well-being of the region’s citizens when faced with potential devastating disasters. This investment is part of a $87,500 project.