U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.7 Million to Boost Manufacturing Business Growth in Marshall, Arkansas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the Searcy County Government, Arkansas, to support manufacturing business growth.

This grant will renovate a building in Marshall, Arkansas to support the establishment of a frozen foods manufacturing facility, creating jobs, and growing the local economy.

 “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is about ensuring communities in Arkansas and across the country have the resources needed to create jobs and create economic opportunity,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will increase growth in the manufacturing sector by bringing good, quality, high-paying jobs that will better support families and strengthen the regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration works hand-in-hand with local communities to support targeted, place-based economic growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will provide the infrastructure needed to accommodate a major frozen foods manufacturing facility, creating a stronger and more diverse regional economy.”

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. 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.