Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.9 million grant to the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe, Prescott, Arizona, to make roadway infrastructure improvements needed to support business growth in a region impacted by the declining us of coal. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.
This grant will support the construction of a one-half mile, two-lane road on the Yavapai-Prescott Reservation to provide access to land with future development potential.
“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This award will create the potential for future economic development on the Yavapai-Prescott Reservation, promoting economic resiliency on Tribal lands.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will increase accessibility for residents, businesses, and public services on the Yavapai-Prescott Reservation, encouraging both new development and the expansion of existing businesses.”
“Making major roadway improvements on the Yavapai-Prescott Reservation will better connect our communities, expand access for families and businesses, get goods to shelves faster, and promote new economic opportunities. I’m proud to have secured today’s investment in economic resiliency for the Tribe and all of Arizona,” said Senator Kyrsten Sinema.
“Arizona tribal communities have long been in need of road improvements to improve safety and access. This will provide the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe with critical resources to help make necessary road repairs and improve community mobility,” said Senator Mark Kelly.
This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.
EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of EDA’s $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.
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