Grant

September 28-October 2, 2015

$7,102,112 in Economic Adjustment funds to Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, to enable Wichita State University, which leads the South Kansas consortia as a designated manufacturing community under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), to enhance development and commercialization networks that support manufacturers, innovators, and entrepreneurs engaged in technology-based economic development focused on the potential for expanding technology transfer and identifying methods to accelerate the commercialization of defense-related products. The goal of this project is to strengthen and diversify the region’s advanced manufacturing supply chain, accelerate the quality and scope of defense technologies, and increase the competitiveness and sustainability of defense-impacted businesses. This investment is part of a $7,971,370 project.
$3,587,052 in Public Works funds to St. Clair County, Illinois, to rebuild and enhance Front Street, Missouri Avenue, and B Street in Saint Clair County to allow access for high capacity, load, and logistical needs for the area’s agricultural sector. It will also allow for increased industrial traffic from the East St. Louis area which facilitates reliable and faster market access for international markets to the local grain industry. This investment is part of a $7.775 million project that the grantee estimates will save 747 jobs and leverage $1.5 million in private investment.
$3,192,676 in Public Works funds to the California State Los Angeles University Auxiliary Services, Inc., Los Angeles, California, to support construction of a business incubator to house bioscience companies on the campus of California State University in Los Angeles County. The project creates additional space for existing businesses to expand and grow, and attract more start-up businesses and entrepreneurs to the region, which will create jobs and promote economic growth. This investment is part of a $6,989,759 project that the grantee estimates will create 300 jobs and leverage $95 million in private investment.
$3 million in Public Works funds to the City of Gary, Indiana, to construct critical road infrastructure to facilitate routing for commercial and light industrial transportation to the area’s interstate, rail, and air distribution network. In addition, moving truck access will also facilitate the future development of the Gary/Chicago International Airport. This investment is part of a $5.13 million project that the grantee estimates will create 2,580 jobs, save 100 jobs, and leverage $143 million in private investment.
$2,987,340 in Economic Adjustment funds to the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Alabama, to fund construction of the Invention to Innovation facility on the University of Alabama-Huntsville campus. The new facility will house a business incubator- innovation hub and accelerator program to serve a 15-county region in north Alabama and southeast Tennessee. When completed, the new business incubator will be a hub for microbusiness incubation and acceleration, and will serve as a catalyst for growing resilient manufacturing jobs and increasing global competitiveness of the region. This investment is part of a $9.9 million project.
$2,581,900 in Economic Adjustment funds to the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, Rockford, Illinois, to support construction of roadway and parking infrastructure to support the establishment of the Midfield Aviation Industrial Park (MAIP) in Rockford. The project will increase the amount of property available for development at the Park, enabling the future expansion of the region’s aerospace cluster and related industries. This investment is part of a $5,163,800 project that the grantee estimates will create 515 jobs and leverage $18 million in private investment.
$2.514 million in Public Works funds to the Muskegon Community College, Muskegon, Michigan, to fund the renovation of the former Chronicle Newspaper Building in downtown Muskegon to create the new Muskegon College Applied Technology Center. The new Center will serve the region’s residents and workforce by offering applied technology certifications, entrepreneurial programs, and workforce training space. This investment is part of an $8.98 million project that the grantee estimates will create 246 jobs, save 29 jobs, and leverage $15 million in private investment.
$2.5 million in Public Works funds to the City of Willows, California, to support critical infrastructure for access and utilization of a commercial center in the City of Willows. By expanding access to commercial space and transportation, the project will allow the City to leverage the region's agricultural and value-added production to facilitate long-term job growth. This investment is part of a $3,571,429 project that the grantee estimates will save 100 jobs and leverage $32,971,630 in private investment.
$2,368,520 in Public Works funds to America’s Central Port District, Granite City, Illinois, to construct and rehabilitate 7,300 feet of rail track at the Americas Central Port District’s intermodal industrial park. The project promotes economic development and improves the regional economy by enhancing the link between area manufacturers and the nation’s freight transportation network. This investment is part of a $3,383,600 project that the grantee estimates will create 235 jobs, save 15 jobs, and leverage $6.5 million in private investment.
$2,316,300 in Public Works funds to the City of Sandstone, Minnesota, to fund critical infrastructure to support the development of the 181 acre Sandstone Business and Healthcare Research Park in Pine County, Minnesota. The project supports the region’s healthcare research industry cluster and will create jobs opportunities for the region’s residents in the medical and research fields. This investment is part of a $4,632,600 project that the grantee estimates will create 23 new jobs, save 137 jobs, and leverage $24 million in private investment.
$2.278 million in Economic Adjustment funds to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System/University of Pikeville, Versailles, Kentucky, to support construction of a training facility to house the Kentucky Regional Telecommunications Installation and Maintenance Training Program. With the installation of over 3,000 miles of new broadband line in eastern Kentucky scheduled for the spring of 2016, the facility will help meet the high demand for trained employees for both installation and maintenance of the new broadband technology. These high tech jobs will help to diversify and strengthen the region’s economy, allowing it to overcome the dependency on coal. This investment is part of a $4.5 million project.
$2 million in Public Works funds to the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Brooklyn, New York, to support the renovation of two floors of Building 77 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to create suites for industrial and manufacturing tenants. This project addresses the lack of available space in the region for start-ups and incubating entrepreneurs seeking to expand and grow their businesses. This investment is part of a $5 million project that the grantee estimates will create 312 jobs and leverage $2.344 million in private investment.
$1,911,712 in Public Works funds to the Port of Stockton, California, to support infrastructure improvements to widen Navy Drive which will allow better access to the port facility and the adjacent West Complex Industrial Business Park in San Joaquin County. Widening of the roadway will allow further development of the industrial/business park and enhance the movement of freight and raw materials from the Port's terminal. This will make the region more attractive for business enterprises to locate and expand their operations, particularly in distribution and logistics, and enhance the maritime shipping opportunities for California's Central Valley. The increase in business capacity will facilitate the creation of more employment opportunities for the region's workforce. This investment is part of a $5,181,630 project that the grantee estimates will create 161 jobs.
$1.82 million in Public Works funds to the Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, to fund construction of site work and multiple utility upgrades on an existing building necessary for the development of a new, state-of-the-art biomedical research facility in Bar Harbor. When fully operational, the facility will be a catalyst for advancement in biomedical research regionally, nationally, and internationally. This project addresses Maine’s job losses in the declining forest and commercial fishing industries by redirecting the regional economy towards new industries, such as biomedical research, which provides job opportunities and private investment. This investment is part of a $3.945 million project that the grantee estimates will create 365 jobs and leverage $119 million in private investment.
$1,700,031 in Public Works funds to the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to support construction of the TechVentures West Wing Project, a four-floor addition to the existing Ben Franklin Technology Ventures incubator at Lehigh University’s Mountain Campus. The expansion provides much needed office and meeting space to accommodate the demands of new start-ups and incubating entrepreneurs. The project will provide enhanced regional competition and creation and retention of high-value, sustainable, technology-based jobs and investment. This investment is part of a $5.7 million project.
$1,549,200 in Public Works funds to the City of Presque Isle, Maine, to support the fit-out of an industrial building to accommodate expansion and retention of a high-tech medical device manufacturing company, as well as make space available for new businesses seeking to locate in the region. This project addresses the lack of available space in the region for companies seeking to expand and grow their businesses. This investment is part of a $3,118,397 project that the grantee estimates will create 23 jobs, save 72 jobs, and leverage $611,800 in private investment.
$1.5 million in Public Works funds to City of Durant, Oklahoma, to construct critical roadway infrastructure to support the area’s expanding metals manufacturing sector including adding a new high-tech micro-mill that will produce rebar, angle iron, and steel fence post. This project is part of the City’s long-term economic development plans to increase manufacturing jobs in the region. This investment is part of a $3 million project that the grantee estimates will create 200 jobs and leverage $342 million in private investment.
$1,437,132 in Public Works funds to the Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, to fund construction of roadway improvements and infrastructure to serve the Gateway Health Training Campus. The training facility will encourage job growth and business expansion in the region by producing a well-trained, high-skilled local workforce in associated medical professions, including nurses, medical assistants, therapists, technicians, and home health aides. This investment is part of a $2,874,264 project that the grantee estimates will create 500 jobs.
$1,421,700 in Public Works funds to the City of River Falls, Wisconsin, to fund critical infrastructure improvements to support the St. Croix Valley Business Incubator in the City of River Falls, Wisconsin. The incubator will serve as a “one-stop” business assistance center that will offer workforce training and business acceleration services to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities in the region. This investment is part of a $2,843,400 project that the grantee estimates will create 60 jobs, save 18 jobs, and leverage $896,000 in private investment.
$1.32 million in Economic Adjustment funds to the Spanish American Civic Association, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to fund construction of two commercial buildings on a former brownfield site in Lancaster County for development of the Conestoga Plaza project. The new Plaza will house a large grocery store, a restaurant, and several small and mid-sized community-based businesses providing entry-level employment to the area’s low-income, non-English speaking residents. This project will be a catalyst for redirecting the regional economy towards new industries providing additional job opportunities and private investment. This investment is part of a $2.2 million project that the grantee estimates will create 55 jobs.
$1,222,906 in Economic Adjustment funds to the County of Riverside, California, to support the Riverside County Small Business Financial Assistance Program by creating the Riverside Revolving Loan Fund program which will provide businesses with the access to capital that is difficult to obtain or non-existent. This fund will stimulate job creation and capital investment in underserved and disadvantaged communities. This project is part of a $1,528,633 project.
$1.15 million in Economic Adjustment funds to the City of Rio Grande City, Texas, to fund construction of road and wastewater infrastructure upgrades to support the development of a new Commercial Shopping Center and Industrial Park. This project mitigates economic distress caused by flooding and will lead to increased resiliency, supporting business expansion in the region. This investment is part of a $1.915 million project that the grantee estimates will create 600 new jobs and leverage $60 million in private investment.
$1,002,128 in Public Works funds to the Village of Pioneer, Ohio, to construct critical infrastructure to create an industrial corridor between the Village’s industrial area and State Road 15. The enhanced industrial corridor will lead to foreign direct investment and on-shoring due to the expansion of the areas international manufacturing sector. This investment is part of a $2,004,256 project that the grantee estimates will create 85 jobs and leverage $23 million in private investment.
$1 million in Economic Adjustment funds to the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, Jasper, Texas, to fund disaster assistance to construct the new Deep East Texas Emergency Operations and Command Center in Angelina County, Texas, which will provide multi-agency coordination during disasters and other emergency situations to improve disaster resiliency. This investment is part of a $1.25 million project.
$652,209 in Economic Adjustment funds to the Milwaukee Development Corporation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to support the implementation of a Global Engagement Initiative that will benefit the seven-county Milwaukee region by create new trading partners, identifying new markets for exports, identifying workforce obstacles for global engagement, and increasing foreign direct investment. This builds off Milwaukee’s participation in the 2015 America’s Competiveness Exchange. This investment is part of a $1,321,564 project.
$300,000 in Public Works funds to the Northwest Technical College/Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Bemidji, Minnesota, to support construction of a new welding and fabrication lab at Northwest Technical College’s Bemidji campus. The proposed lab space and state-of-the-art lab equipment will assist the region's manufacturers by providing a mechanism to upskill the current manufacturing workforce and by developing a pipeline of new skilled workers. This investment is part of a $600,000 project.
$200,000 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Madison Regional Economic Partnership, Madison, Wisconsin, to support the Madison Region Economic Partnership in the development, establishment, and implementation of a formal governing, organizational, and reporting structure for the Madison area EDA-designated Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program. The project will convene, guide, and support action teams of experts and stakeholders in the six IMCP focus areas of workforce development, supply chain, research and development, infrastructure, international trade, and capital access. This investment is part of a $400,000 project.
$200,000 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership, St. Paul, Minnesota, to support the Minneapolis-St Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (GREATER MSP) in the development, establishment, and implementation of a formal governing, organizational, and reporting structure for the Minneapolis area EDA-designated Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program. The project will convene, guide, and support action teams of experts and stakeholders in the six IMCP focus areas of workforce development, supply chain, research and development, infrastructure, international trade, and capital access. This investment is part of a $400,000 project.
$200,000 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Economic Development Council for the Peoria Area/City of Peoria, Illinois, to support the implementation of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative, the Earthmoving Capital of the World. This award will help the initiative’s efforts to build resilience in the earthmoving equipment manufacturing supply chain, align regional workforce interests and skills with earthmoving supply chain needs, help that supply chain attract and retain talent, and increase the export capacity of the region. This investment is part of a $400,000 project.
$194,000 in Technical Assistance funds to the University of Wisconsin System/Marquette University/University of Wisconsin Parkside (Kenosha)/Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to fund the fifth year of a five-year University Center Economic Development Program at the University of Wisconsin. The program provides technical assistance and research and development tools to increase productivity, spur innovation, and promote entrepreneurship to help increase long-term regional competitiveness and economic diversification. This investment is part of a $404,482 project.
$150,000 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Perry County Commissioners, New Lexington, Ohio, to fund an economic recovery coordinator to help local government officials and business leaders coordinate and facilitate long-term economic recovery efforts in a three-county region that stands to be severely impacted by low water levels once the Buckeye Lake is drained. This project will allow the impacted communities to prepare for and address the anticipated and actual economic impact of the low water levels of the lake. This investment is part of a $300,000 project that the grantee estimates will save 668 jobs.
$120,885 in Economic Adjustment funds to the Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (Oregon BEST), Portland, Oregon, to fund a manufacturing capacity and market development study of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) in rural communities in Oregon and southwest Washington. The region has suffered with the decline of the timber industry and other natural resource industries. This project, which is a central part of the IMCP-designated Pacific Northwest Manufacturing Partnership’s strategy, will build on the traditional wood products industry and position the region to be a global leader in the CLT industry. This investment is part of a $203,491 project.
$111,706 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission/Michigan State University, Muskegon, Michigan, to support the Muskegon County Deconstruction Cluster Feasibility Study. The study will assess the feasibility of creating and sustaining an innovative comprehensive building deconstruction cluster to collect structural debris from communities around the Great Lakes, and recycle and repurpose the material into marketable projects. The project supports business development and job creation in the region while supporting continued use of the Muskegon port after decommissioning of a major coal-fired power plant. This investment is part of a $223,412 project.
$110,000 in Local Technical Assistance funds to the Region Nine Development Commission, Mankato, Minnesota, to support the Region Nine Development Commission in assessing the region’s emerging medical device manufacturing cluster by providing regional capacity to assess cluster needs, identify assets, and attract cluster firms and businesses from its supply chain. The project’s activities will include the provision of links to the Minneapolis Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnerships (IMCP) effort, which has also targeted the medical device manufacturing cluster. This investment is part of a $220,000 project.