U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Industrial Park Development to Support Business Growth in East Wenatchee, Washington

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority, East Wenatchee, Washington, to support opportunities for new business development through the renovation and completion of partially-finished commercial infrastructure. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will support completion and finishing work on 13 buildings at the Pangborn Industrial Park that were abandoned by a previous developer during the coronavirus pandemic, providing new space for business expansion and growth. The EDA investment will be matched with $2.5 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain 85 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will play an important role in supporting business growth and expansion in East Wenatchee, helping to create good-paying jobs and a diverse regional economy.”

“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 allow the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority to improve existing resources to grow the region’s business community.”

“I fought to pass the American Rescue Plan because I knew it would make a world of a difference for Washington state’s economy and families. We are seeing that happen in real time at East Wenatchee’s Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority,” said Senator Patty Murray. “These Economic Development Administration grants will help businesses expand and grow, create good-paying jobs, and spur growth in East Wenatchee and across the state.”

“Congratulations to the Chelan Douglas Port Authority for receiving this grant made possible by the American Rescue Plan,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-10). “This grant will allow the Port Authority to finish work at the Pangborn Industrial Park which was previously stalled during the pandemic. These facilities will benefit our community by retaining jobs and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow and expand. This is great news!”

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.