U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in Vermillion, South Dakota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the city of Vermillion, South Dakota, to support wastewater treatment facility improvements.

This grant will invest in resilience to natural disasters and provide additional capacity for future industrial growth. This EDA investment will be matched with $14,996,000 in local funds.

“The Biden-Harris Administration knows that infrastructure is key to building an economy that works for all Americans and helps every community grow,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will ensure Vermillion has the resources needed to create modern and sustainable infrastructure that powers local businesses and creates good-paying jobs in the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic development,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project in the city of Vermillion will provide critical wastewater infrastructure to help diversity the regional economy, ensure its resiliency, and create jobs.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG). EDA funds SECOG 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.