Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo confirmed the advancements made in restoring and strengthening the economy that were detailed in President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress.
The Biden-Harris economic plan is about "investing in places and people that have been forgotten," according to a Feb. 8 news release.
“Last year, EDA awarded $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding. These transformational investments in manufacturing, research and development, infrastructure, workforce training and community development ensure the United States will be the global leader in the industries of the future,” Castillo said in the release.
The EDA, the only federal government agency to focus exclusively on economic development, is building a more equitable and resilient economy working for all Americans, he said, according to the release. The gains have encouraged the EDA to build on its progress since the start of the Biden administration. The president reinforced how crucial the work is for economic prosperity, industrial readiness and for continued growth.
“I am excited about the work ahead and what we can achieve together. There is still much work to be done as we lay the foundations for steady and stable long-term growth in the years to come,” Castillo said in the release. “We will continue to work with our federal partners, within the Department of Commerce and elsewhere, to employ a whole-of-government approach to deliver on President Biden's economic agenda and finish the job.”
