Press Release
May 14, 2024

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million to Support Aviation Workforce Development and Business Growth in Seminole, Oklahoma

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 $1.3 million grant to the city of Seminole, Oklahoma, to support aviation industry workforce development and business growth.

This grant will construct an Aviation Education Center as well as transportation and parking facilities at the Seminole Airport Industrial Park. This EDA investment will be matched with $325,593 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 185 jobs and generate $2.8 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing In America agenda is about ensuring that all communities have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s economy and that includes a strong workforce,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “America’s workers are the source of our country’s innovation and competitiveness. By supporting aviation and aerospace workforce development this grant will spur business growth, increase investments, and create a stronger, more dynamic regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic growth,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment in the city of Seminole will provide the training to produce a skilled aerospace workforce and support existing businesses at the Seminole Airport Industrial Park, creating in-demand jobs for residents and helping more opportunities, goods, and services move throughout 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.