U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.3 Million to Expand the Muskogee Medical District and Boost Workforce Development in 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 investing $4.3 million in the state of Oklahoma to support infrastructure improvements and industrial workforce development.

The EDA investments announced today are:

Kiamichi Technology Centers, Wilburton, will receive a $1.5 million grant to support construction of an industrial workforce training center. This project will be matched with $1,676,480 in local funds and is expected to create 246 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

The city of Muskogee will receive a $2.8 million grant for roadway and storm drainage infrastructure improvements to support business expansion and job creation in the Muskogee Medical District. This project will be matched with $760,400 in local funds and is expected to create 161 jobs and generate $250 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing resources that support economic growth in communities across Oklahoma and the entire country,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will help create good paying jobs, spur private investment, and expand workforce training opportunities in Muskogee and Wilburton.”

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support economic growth tailored to each region,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs Christina Killingsworth. “This project will support Muskogee and Wilburton by providing the infrastructure needed to attract new businesses and provide training that leads to jobs in high-wage industries that keep communities healthy.”

The Kiamichi Technology Centers project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA). EDA funds SODA 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.

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.