U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.1 Million for Electrical and Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Economic Growth in Warren, Rhode Island

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.1 million grant to the town of Warren, Rhode Island, for electrical and wastewater infrastructure upgrades needed to boost economic growth in the region.

This grant will provide for necessary electrical upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility, damaged by back-to-back storms in 2021 and 2022. This EDA investment will be matched with $250,000 in local funds and is expected to retain nearly 3,400 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all communities in Rhode Island and across the country have the resources needed to not only recover from natural disasters but to grow strong, resilient, and prosperous local economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.  “This EDA investment will help ensure that the town of Warren has the electrical and wastewater infrastructure it needs to withstand future flooding and other natural disasters.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support their disaster resiliency and recovery strategies,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This investment will support the town of Warren in its efforts to improve the community’s economic resilience by mitigating the potential for property and infrastructure damage related to future severe weather events.”

“This latest investment from the Biden-Harris Administration not only builds upon Rhode Island’s resiliency to severe weather but helps us maintain economic momentum and preserve good-paying jobs,” said Governor Dan McKee. “These key upgrades pave the way for a stronger future for Warren and Rhode Island.”

“As the climate crisis rages on, extreme flooding is becoming more frequent and placing strain on our infrastructure and economy,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This is a smart federal investment to help the Town of Warren upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to withstand future storms and protect the local economy.”

“We need resilient infrastructure that can withstand the harmful impacts of the climate crisis,” said Representative Gabe Amo (RI-1). “I thank Secretary Raimondo for her continued commitment to improving cities and towns in Rhode Island like Warren, who will benefit from this critical investment to mitigate risk and safeguard our community from extreme weather.”

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.