U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Programs to Improve Supply Chain Resiliency in the Food Sector

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, to support research and technical assistance designed to improve supply chain resiliency in the food sector in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will equip a new research facility to simulate supply chain distribution conditions in the food sector and provide technical assistance to food manufacturers to improve supply chain resiliency. The EDA investment will be matched with $335,339 in local funds and is expected to generate $10.5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden Administration is committed to using every tool in our toolbox to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the provide the research and expertise food manufacturers need to not only recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic but build back stronger and more equitably for the future.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will deliver critical support to help alleviate supply chain bottlenecks in the food sector in the Western United States.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. 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.