The Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently unveiled a $42.4 million investment in economic development across six states. These awards will directly support state disaster recovery efforts, targeting key infrastructure initiatives for utilities and healthcare.
The states selected to receive these awards include:
- South Carolina – $15.7 million.
- Florida – $13.6 million.
- Tennessee – $4.5 million.
- Oklahoma – $3.9 million.
- Georgia – $3 million.
- North Carolina – $1.7 million.
The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant program – an initiative designed to support areas that have been severely impacted by major natural disasters. These may include hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms, flooding and tornadoes among other inclement events that occurred between 2023 and 2024.
The FY 2025 program has made $1.5 billion available to support economic recovery activities. The EDA reviews funding applications on a rolling basis. As more initiatives receive approval, the agency is expected to distribute more awards in the coming months.
South Carolina will allocate its full award to the city of Woodruff. Plans for the first $8.8 million will go toward implementing wastewater infrastructure improvements. The Woodruff-Roebuck Water District will receive the remaining $6.9 million to improve water infrastructure. Both investments will help stimulate economic growth, create jobs, support private investment and expand businesses.
The city of Hernando, Florida, will receive $13.6 million to improve infrastructure at the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport. Tennessee will split its $4.5 million award between Loudon and Johnson City. Loudon will spend $2.5 million to improve sewer infrastructure for local businesses, while Johnson City will use the remaining $2 million to improve water infrastructure for the regional manufacturing industry.
Oklahoma will spend its $4.9 million award to help a nonprofit build a facility designed to encourage retention in the aerospace industry and create jobs.
Georgia will deliver its $3 million award to the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority, allowing it to install critical roadway, water and gas infrastructure for the manufacturing industry.
The final $1.7 million for North Carolina will allow Cleveland Community College to build a healthcare workforce training facility.
The EDA leads the federal approach to incentivizing and supporting critical economic development activities across the nation. The department prioritizes communities and regions that are lynchpins for American innovation, job development and long-term growth.
Photo by Michał Robak from Pexels
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