Press Release
September 10, 2024

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.5 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements to Support Economic Growth at the Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation in Michigan

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, Michigan, for wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to support economic development in the region.

This grant will expand wastewater treatment capacity at the Bay Mills Indian Community, to foster future economic development projects. This EDA investment will be matched with $4.7 million in local funds and is expected to create 40 jobs, retain 400 jobs, and generate $11 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda is committed to supporting Tribal Nations’ work to build strong, diversified economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will create jobs and attract new business investment at the Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation, ensuring that the Tribe strengthens its economic resilience.”

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with Tribal Nations as they pursue place-based initiatives that respond to their communities’ needs,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will enable the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan to diversify its economy and create good-paying jobs by laying the groundwork for several future economic development projects.”

“Today’s investment by the Biden-Harris administration to build up water infrastructure in the Bay Mills Indian Community will drive future economic development,” said Governor Whitmer. “Thanks to our federal partners, strong congressional delegation, and intergovernmental collaboration with Bay Mills leadership, we are shoring up the fundamentals our communities need to grow—roads, bridges, ports, airports, pipes, and high-speed internet. We are building on that strong foundation by creating good-paying jobs and bringing supply chains home from overseas to lead the future of advanced manufacturing. I am grateful to Bay Mills leadership for securing these resources to benefit our shared citizens. Together, we will keep growing our economy and building a brighter future for all our residents.”

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.