U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Tourism-Related Business Growth in Florence, Alabama

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the city of Florence, Alabama, for sewer system upgrades to stoke the growth of the local tourism economy. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will provide the water and sewer infrastructure capacity needed to service local events and job-training facilities at the Lauderdale County Agricultural Events Center, helping to boost tourism and the regional economy. This EDA grant will be matched with $716, 955 in local funds.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivers federal resources to communities to ensure our nation not only recovers from the pandemic, but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This project will boost tourism and job upskilling services, providing economic stability for the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Florence and its community as it works to grow the region’s economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment in Florence is an excellent opportunity to leverage a regional asset and build greater economic resiliency in the region.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG). EDA funds NACOL to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.