U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $617,203 to Support the Regional Economic Planning Efforts of the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope in Barrow, Alaska

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $617,203 grant to the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, Barrow, Alaska, to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the North Slope region.

“President Biden is committed to helping native communities build a foundation of economic resilience and prosperity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will assist the Inupiat Community prepare a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to serve as a roadmap for economic diversity, job creation, housing, and environmental protection.”

Under President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, EDA’s Indigenous Communities program dedicates $100 million to develop and execute economic development projects that these communities need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. For more information, please visit EDA’s American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities webpage.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.