U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Tribal Business Development in Okmulgee, Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the Muscogee Creek Nation, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, for critical water infrastructure and a feasibility study for a new industrial park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This project will build a new waterline on the southern portion of the Looped Square Ranch (LSR) to support commercial development and fund a feasibility study to develop an industrial park on the LSR property.

“President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the foundation for the Muscogee Creek Nation to grow their Tribal economy, attracting new businesses, and creating jobs for Tribal members.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will create new economic opportunities for the Muscogee Creek Nation in commercial businesses, encourage additional development, and develop a stronger regional economy.”

“This is great news for Muscogee Creek Nation and for the Okmulgee community,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02). “I look forward to witnessing the positive impact this investment will have on the area for generations to come.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Eastern Oklahoma Development District (EODD). EDA funds EODD 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 American Rescue Plan Indigenous Communities program, which allocates $100 million in American Rescue Plan funding specifically to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities. The program supports these partners to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future. Indigenous communities are also eligible and encouraged to apply under all of EDA’s other programs. 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.