September 8 - 14, 2023

EDA announced 41 investments from September 8-14, 2023, totaling $19,056,888, which is matched by $7,150,509 in local investments.  These investments include the following: (1) $9,791,531 in eight 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 three projects for $7,380,531 that will help create 147 jobs, save 30 jobs, and leverage $65,008,000 in private investments; (2) $4,396,585 in two Public Works projects to help communities revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure that will help create 112 jobs, save 72 jobs, and leverage $4,500,000 in private investments; (3) $1,291,772 in 11 Local Technical Assistance projects to strengthen the capacity of local or state organizations and institutions to undertake and promote effective economic development programs; (4) $186,000 in one Technical Assistance University Center project to make the varied and vast resources of universities available to the economic development practitioner community; and (5) $3,391,000 in 19 Partnership Planning projects to support the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy process.

• $9,791,531 in eight Economic Adjustment Assistance projects, matched by $2,331,286 in local investments, as follows:
  • $4,421,143 in 2019 Disaster Supplemental funding, matched by $1,105,286 in local investment, to the City of Madras/Oregon Department of Transportation, Madras/Jefferson County, Oregon, to support the City of Madras with making stormwater infrastructure improvements to reduce and eliminate flooding from downtown streets in Jefferson County, Oregon.  The project work includes the installation of more than 4,000 linear feet of storm sewer piping, street resurfacing, and the construction of a stormwater bioretention pond.  The project supports the revitalization of downtown Madras to boost business expansion and growth.  Once completed, the improvements will help create a more resilient business environment, which will encourage new commercial development and diversify the local economy.  The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 3 jobs, save 7 jobs, and leverage $8,000 in private investment.
  • $1,999,388 in 2023 Disaster Supplemental funding, matched by $500,000 in local investment, to the Pine Ridge Regional Industrial Authority, Inc., Hazard/Perry County, Kentucky, to support the construction of a new laboratory building that will be utilized by the Hazard Community and Technical College in Perry County, Kentucky.  This laboratory will conduct workforce training in renewable energy and electricity, as well as provide Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and utility lineman training.  The new site will train students who will serve employers within a 50-mile radius and the educational training will help draw in new businesses.  The college will also offer rotational training in different fields such as Electrician, Solar Installers/Repairers, Licensed Practical Nurse, Nurse Aide, and Phlebotmist.  Once completed, the project will boost economic development, create, and save jobs, and increase private investment throughout the region.  The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 44 jobs, save 23 jobs, and leverage $15,000,000 in private investment.
  • $1,200,000 in 2023 Disaster Supplemental funding, matched by $300,000 in local investment, to the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, Berea/Madison County, Kentucky, to support the hiring of a disaster recovery coordinator and business support staff to assist with disaster relief and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding in Berea, Kentucky.  The project activities include developing a resiliency best practices toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits and implementing improved client interface and data management systems.  Once completed, the project will create new opportunities for employment and strengthen the regional economy.
  • $960,000, matched by $240,000 in local investment, to the Enterprise Center, Philadelphia/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Project: Newark/Essex County, New Jersey), to support the launching of the Infrastructure Innovations and Business Opportunities Center in Newark, New Jersey, to connect socially and economically disadvantaged contractors and businesses to large scale infrastructure projects in the region.  Once completed, the project will help the region capitalize on new opportunities in workforce development, which will attract private investment and lead to the creation of jobs and businesses.  The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 100 jobs and leverage $50,000,000 in private investment.
  • $386,000, with $0 match, to Dine College, Tsaile/Apache County, Arizona, to support Dine College with identifying a tier one tribal technology transfer center as a long-term strategic goal for education and sustainability in Tsaile, Arizona.  The college will conduct a feasibility study to determine how a technology transfer center can be successfully operated to serve as a hub of invention and knowledge creation, supporting commercialization, small businesses and other economic activity that benefits the Navajo Nation.  Once completed, the project will provide long-term economic growth throughout the region.
  • $355,000, matched by $106,000 in local investment, to the City of St. Johns, St. Johns/Apache County, Arizona, to support the development of planning activities to determine the financial viability for the Regional Energy and Education Tech Innovation Campus (REETC) in St. Johns.  The goal of the REETC is to become a platform for future industry cluster programs, and become the hub for an Arizona Corridor model, which aims to create a quality and sustainable regional economy through workforce training and development.  Once completed, the project will help increase educational opportunities, bolster job creation, and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $320,000 in Assistance to Coal Communities, matched by $80,000 in local investment, to the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission (CUPPADRC), Escanaba/Delta County, Michigan, to support the development of its Outdoor Recreation Industry Innovation Growth Strategy.  The six-county area served by CUPPADRC suffers from job losses due to the 2019 Presque Isle Power plant closure.  As electric and other propulsion technologies expand, the outdoor recreation industry, already a source of economic activity in the region, will expand.  The strategy will study all opportunities for growth in the regional outdoor recreation industry including entrepreneurship, and resources for technology-oriented activities that support outdoor recreation.  Once implemented, the strategy 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.
  • $150,000, with $0 match, to the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks/Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, to support the Tanana Chiefs Conference with establishing and implementing a culturally relevant small business development program that will empower rural entrepreneurs residing in Fairbanks, Alaska.  The project allows the region to diversify its economy and leverage growing industry sectors by providing the training needed to expand small business development.  These improvements support the region's workforce and small business development goals, as well as its goal to support Alaska Native businesses.  Once completed, the project will provide long-term economic growth throughout the region.
• $4,396,585 in two Public Works projects, matched by $2,259,218 in local investments, as follows:
  • $3,141,029, matched by $1,766,829 in local investment, to the Port of Chehalis, Chehalis/Lewis County, Washington, to fund the Southwest Washington Grain Storage and Rail Transload Facility Construction Project to help bolster agricultural production and processing in Chehalis, Washington.  The Port of Chehalis will install the foundations and conveyance to connect trucks bringing specialty grains from local farmers led by the local grain cooperative to the local rail spur connecting to the national rail system.  The project will cover concrete installations, custom conveyors, electrical, paving, landscaping, and safety systems.  Once completed, the project will create and save jobs, attract private investment, and strengthen the regional economy.  The grantee estimates that this investment will help create 8 jobs, save 46 jobs, and leverage $3,400,000 in private investment.
  • $1,255,556, matched by $492,389 in local investment, to the SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation/MBCC Development, LLC, South Boston/Halifax County, Virginia, to support the SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation with the renovation of a 13,000 SF building to create a digital maker space, community gathering space and co-working offices in South Boston, Virginia.  The project work includes architectural, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and landscaping renovations with appurtenances.  Once completed, the project will help address the urgent need for economic equity by providing access to technology, networks, training, and workforce skills, which will advance economic resiliency throughout the region.  The grantees estimate that this investment will help create 104 jobs, save 26 jobs, and leverage $1,100,000 in private investment.
• $1,291,772 in 11 Local Technical Assistance projects, matched by $881,319 as follows:
  • $250,000, matched by $62,500 in local investment, to the Lake Providence Port Commission, Lake Providence/East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, to support the development of the Northeast Louisiana Regional Rail and Port Master Plan.  The activity will benefit the Northeast Louisiana River Coalition (NLRC) comprised of the Lake Providence Port Commission, Tensas Parish Port Commission, Vidalia Port Commission, and the Northeast Louisiana Railroad Development District.  The plan will focus on establishing a roadmap for future economic growth and development for NLRC.  It will also serve as a framework for developing unified branding and marketing strategies of the area to attract prospective tenants and customers requiring rail and port facilities, which will help enhance future economic sustainability and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $210,000, matched by $210,000 in local investment, to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Pittsfield/Berkshire County, Massachusetts, to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region served by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), which serves all the municipalities in Berkshire County.  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.
  • $200,000, matched by $100,000 in local investment, to the City of East Providence, East Providence/Providence County, Rhode Island, to support the development and completion of the East Providence Small Business and Blue Economy Incubator project.  The project work includes conducting a study to provide specific deliverables that will lead to the creation of a multi-use small business, blue economy, and arts incubator that will be centered on the creation of jobs through small businesses support and assistance.  Once completed, the project will help boost job creation and diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
  • $120,000, matched by $120,000 in local investment, to the Great Falls Development Authority, Inc., Great Falls/Cascade County, Montana, to support the Great Falls Development Authority, Inc. with diversifying the industry sectors and creating new business opportunities in Great Falls.  The project work includes initiating two sector assessments, one focused on energy, the other on transportation and logistics.  In addition, the project will focus on developing a specific plan to create a bioscience district, which was identified in a previous study as a priority for the community and a strong opportunity for growth and diversification.  Once completed, the project will enhance economic growth and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $100,000, matched by $100,000 in local investment, to the Latino Economic Development Corporation of Washington, DC, Silver Spring/Prince George’s County, Maryland, to support the targeting of outreach efforts in Prince George’s County by assisting established and new businesses with bilingual and culturally competent coaches providing one-on-one sessions and group training to cover the main aspects of starting a business.  Once completed, the project will provide resources to generate an environment that can serve as a catalyst for unprecedented regional economic growth throughout the region.
  • $99,772, matched by $99,772 in local investment, to Pittsburgh State University, Pittsburgh/Crawford County, Kansas, to support initiating a study and providing recommendations to establish plastics recycling and processing industries in economically distressed regions and creating a workforce in Crawford County.  The project work includes hiring a consultant to conduct the study, with engagement from university faculty and staff.  The project is expected to generate U.S.-based technologies and products, and a skilled workforce, necessary to actualize a new generation of U.S.-based advanced manufacturing and, in so doing, revitalize the economic diversity of the rural Kansas.  Once completed, the project will help enhance future economic sustainability and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $70,000, matched by $5,000 in local investment, to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Warm Springs/Jefferson County, Oregon, to support the update and continued implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon.  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.
  • $63,000, matched by $63,000 in local investment, to the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission (SEMO RPC), Perry/Perry County, Missouri, to support coordinating and overseeing an Industrial Market Analysis that will provide critical information to help grow and diversify the industrial economy in Southeast Missouri.  SEMO RPC will work in partnership with the Southeast Missouri Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SE MO REDi), Perry County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA), and the Sikeston Area Economic Development Corporation (SAEDC).  These organizations represent three communities joined by the I-55 corridor and Mississippi River working together to build a more regionalized approach to industrial and business attraction and development to improve the overall economic conditions of the region.  Once completed, the study will identify specific opportunities to recruit and support new and expanding industries to strengthen existing businesses and manufacturers, as well as diversify the overall employment opportunities in the region to create a more resilient local economy, which will help enhance future economic sustainability.
  • $63,000, matched by $36,000 in local investment, to Mississippi County, Charleston/ Mississippi County, Missouri, to fund the Mississippi County Port Study that will identify short- and long-term opportunities to increase economic activity at the Port in Charleston. The project work includes hiring a consulting firm that specializes in inland river ports to conduct the feasibility study and provide recommendations, which will help enhance future economic sustainability and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $60,000, matched by $61,047 in local investment, to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Providence/Providence County, Rhode Island, to facilitate the development of a feasibility and needs assessment study for the State of Rhode Island to assess and understand the necessary investments for growing second stage food businesses across the state.  The study will allow for decision making and investment planning to advance local economic development in the state’s food industry sector, which will help enhance future economic sustainability and advance economic resiliency throughout the region.
  • $56,000, matched by $24,000 in local investment, to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Haverhill/Essex County, Massachusetts, to support the creation of a detailed study and road map for the region’s municipal staff and economic development stakeholders to increase availability of industrial space to enhance the economic planning capacity in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  Once completed, the project will provide resources to generate an environment that can serve as a catalyst for unprecedented regional economic growth throughout the region.
• $186,000 in one Technical Assistance University Center project, matched by $186,000 in local investment, to support the third year of a five-year University Center program, which is a competitively based partnership between EDA and academic institutions that makes the varied and vast resources of universities available to the economic development practitioner community.  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.
  • University of Wisconsin System, Madison/Dane County, WI ($186,000/$186,000)
• $3,391,000 in 19 Partnership Planning projects, matched by $1,678,500 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.
  • Southwest PA Commission, Pittsburgh/Allegheny County, PA ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Evansville REP Foundation, Inc., Evansville/Vanderburgh Co., IN ($60,000/$60,000)
  • SEDA Council of Governments, Lewisburg/Union County, PA ($480,000/$116,000)
  • Team Northeast Ohio, Cleveland/Cuyahoga County, OH ($50,000/$50,000)
  • Ashtabula County Port Authority, Jefferson/Ashtabula County, OH ($50,000/$50,000)
  • Southside PDC, South Hill/Mecklenburg County, VA ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Mid-Shore RC, Easton/Talbot County, MD ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Southern Maine P&DC, Saco/York County, ME ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Capital District RPC, Albany/Albany County, NY ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Oklahoma ED Authority, Hooker/Texas County, OK ($210,000/$52,500)
  • Northern OK Development Authority, Enid/Garfield County, OK ($210,000/$210,000)
  • Regional Intergovernmental Council, South Charleston/Kanawha County, WV $210,000/$90,000)
  • Turtle Mountain Band Chippewa Indians, Belcourt/Rolette County, ND ($153,000/$0)
  • Blackfeet Tribe-Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Browning/Glacier Co, MT ($153,000/$0)
  • Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, Poplar/Roosevelt County, MT ($153,000/$0)
  • Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Pablo/Lake County, MT ($153,000/$0)
  • Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud/Todd County, SD ($153,000/$0)
  • Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation, Lower Brule/Lyman County, SD ($153,000/$0)
  • Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Towaoc/Montezuma County, WV ($153,000/$0)