U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $660,000 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Develop Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Northern Arapaho Tribe in Fort Washakie, Wyoming

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $660,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Fort Washakie, Wyoming, for climate monitoring equipment and development of a Climate Change Action Plan.

This grant will support job creation in climate change technology and promote economic development while helping to better prepare the Tribe for future disasters. The EDA investment is expected to create or retain 50 jobs and generate $500,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will assist the Northern Arapaho Tribe in planning for future economic challenges, to avoid disruptions, and create a resilient Tribal economy.”

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.