U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.1 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Support Job Creation in Neah Bay, Washington

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.1 million grant to the Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington, for wastewater infrastructure improvements to support job creation.

This grant will provide for the construction of a new climate-resilient wastewater collection network to mitigate the economic impact of future natural disasters. This EDA investment is expected to create or retain more than 70 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda is providing critical infrastructure upgrades to ensure that local communities in Washington state can create good-paying jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help get the Makah Tribe the resources needed to make sure their community is resilient in the face of future natural disasters.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic growth,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will provide critical infrastructure improvements to help diversify the regional economy and create jobs.”

“This award is exciting news for the Makah Tribe—as frontline communities in Washington state increasingly face extreme weather events, these water infrastructure improvements will help the Makah Tribe better respond to future natural disasters, while creating dozens of local jobs,” said Senator Patty Murray.

“I’m thrilled to see this new federal funding heading to the Makah Indian Nation to support their efforts to construct a climate-resilient wastewater collection network,” said Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-6). “This project will create jobs – and help make critical infrastructure upgrades in Neah Bay.”

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.