U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Water Treatment Improvements to Support Business Growth in Dodson, Louisiana

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to the village of Dodson, Louisiana, to renovate its wastewater treatment plant in support of economic growth. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will increase wastewater capacity in the area, supporting the expansion of a nearby lumber mill facility and other business needs. The EDA investment will be matched with $400,000 in local funds and is expected to retain 165 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide critical wastewater infrastructure to encourage growth in lumber, one of the central Louisiana’s leading industries, supporting a strong, robust regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to stimulate American innovation and entrepreneurial activity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will bolster Dodson’s economy, keeping jobs in the area and spurring private investment to the community.”

“Improving the wastewater treatment plant is a tremendous win for the hardworking people of Dodson, and I’m grateful to the Biden administration and Sec. Raimondo for investing in the growth of this vital community,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “Expanding the capacity of the plant will not only help to support the lumber mill but a number of other businesses as well and that will help to expand opportunities for good paying jobs and spur more economic development.” 

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & Development District (KDPDD). EDA funds KDPDD 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 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.