U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million to Support Disaster Relief and Recovery Efforts in Berea, Kentucky

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million grant to the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) in Berea, Kentucky, to support disaster relief and recovery efforts following severe storms and flooding in July 2022.

This investment will support a disaster recovery coordinator position and related business staff, as well as development of a resiliency best practices toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits. This EDA grant will be matched with $300,000 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to providing communities in Kentucky and across the country with the resources they need to grow their local economies following flooding and other natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support disaster preparedness and recovery planning throughout the region.”

“EDA plays an important role in supporting locally-driven disaster recovery and resiliency efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will help local communities and businesses in eastern Kentucky prepare for future flooding and other natural disasters.”

“On behalf of Berea and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I want to thank all our federal partners for this generous grant funding,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “These funds will help businesses in this important region become more resilient as Kentucky’s economy continues to expand with historic investments and new job opportunities.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Big Sandy Area Development District, the Bluegrass Area Development District, the Cumberland Valley Area Development District, the FIVCO Area Development District, and the Kentucky River Area Development District. EDA funds these organizations 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 the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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.