U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase Availability of Childcare in Support of Workforce Participation Among the Nez Perce Tribe

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the Nez Perce Tribe, Lapwai, Idaho, to increase Tribal workforce participation through construction of a new childcare center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan’s Indigenous Communities program.

This project will support the construction of a new childcare facility, enhancing the ability of Tribal parents to enter or return to the labor force. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.7 million in local funds and is expected to create 13 jobs and retain 48 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“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 critical infrastructure for the Nez Perce Tribe that will help it increase parental labor force participation and Tribal prosperity.”

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will assist Tribal members as they seek good-paying jobs on the Nez Perce Reservation and in surrounding communities.”

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.