Press Release
September 26, 2023

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.2 Million to Support Business Development and Workforce Training in West Central Indiana

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.2 million grant to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, to construct a new training facility with laboratory and office space as well as suites for mechanical, electrical and software engineering development.

This project will enable the university to expand its Rose-Hulman Ventures program, which provides engineering and technology expertise to local businesses while connecting university students with professional opportunities. This EDA investment, to be matched with $6.6 million in local funds, is expected to create 250 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is supporting programs that help American businesses compete in the global economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support industrial workforce development, helping to fill critical, in-demand jobs in the Terre Haute region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local workforce development programs,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA grant will help address local labor needs while building long-term economic resilience in the region.”

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.