Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the city of Eden, North Carolina, to boost capacity for business growth by renovating the Eden sewer treatment facility.
This grant will provide reliable water service necessary for a major pet food manufacturer to expand operations while enabling other businesses to locate in the region. The EDA investment will be matched with $7.6 million in local funds and is expected to create 180 jobs and generate $270 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA infrastructure investment will support business expansion in Eden, creating jobs and providing economic resilience.”
“The Economic Development Administration supports locally-driven efforts to spur economic growth and prosperity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will bolster the diversification of Eden’s economy by expanding the city’s industrial capacity, leading to new, good-paying jobs.”
“Access to clean water is a necessity for families and businesses to thrive,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We will continue working with the federal government to strengthen infrastructure in communities like Eden for years to come.”
“I’m pleased that this federal grant will help Eden expand business growth, create jobs, and attract private investment,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06). “As Triad communities continue working to revitalize and attract new business, I’ll continue fighting for federal funding that bolsters economic development.”
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC). EDA funds PTRC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
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.
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