U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.7 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Expand Bioscience Laboratory Facilities and Support Workforce Development Programs in Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $7.7 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to help the state of Texas prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

“President Biden is dedicated to supporting our nation’s economy as we build back better from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “These EDA investments in Texas will provide increased laboratory space for bioresearch, create additional workforce training opportunities in healthcare, and provide healthcare simulation training to prepare students for good-paying jobs.”

“The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “These EDA investments will create new community wet labs at the VelocityTX Innovation Center, allow Temple College to expand its offerings in healthcare professions, and renovate the Allied Health Building on the Victoria College Main Campus to enhance training in healthcare programs.”

“I thank the Economic Development Administration for investing in the expansion of live-saving healthcare and workforce development in San Antonio, Temple, and Victoria,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This past year has shown us the importance of healthcare research and job training, as well as the increasing demand for highly-skilled healthcare professionals, to protect the lives and livelihoods of Texans. This investment will help create a brighter future for Texans seeking career opportunities in health sciences and those receiving care from the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

“While Texans persevere as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on our state, we must take steps to ensure that our communities are equipped to weather the storm,” said Senator John Cornyn. “I applaud this announcement and will continue to do everything I can to make economic growth across Texas a high priority.”

“I’m proud to see CARES Act funding return home to bolster the health care workforce in and around our community,” said Congressman John Carter (TX-31). “Not only will this funding create jobs, it also expands opportunities for the citizens of Texas’ 31st district. Congratulations to Temple College for earning this grant that will certainly have a positive impact on Central Texas.”

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Texas Research and Technology Foundation, San Antonio, Texas, will receive a $4 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to construct six private laboratories to aid in the development of lifesaving technologies for COVID-19 and future threats to human health and well-being. The project, to be matched with $1 million in local funds, is expected to create or retain nearly 350 jobs and generate $8.2 million in private investment.

• Temple College, Temple, Texas, will receive a $2.4 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to expand its Health Sciences Center to offer increased workforce development training programs in healthcare professions. The project, to be matched with $600,000 in local funds, is expected to create 172 jobs, retain 45 jobs, and generate $1.3 million in private investment.

• Victoria County Junior College District, Victoria, Texas, will receive a $1.3 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to create an interdisciplinary medical simulation lab to provide training opportunities for students in healthcare programs. The project, to be matched with $325,000 in local funds, is expected to create more than 2,500 jobs.

These projects are funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.