Raimondo: "President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is providing communities like Lewis County with the resources they need to grow local businesses and create new jobs"
The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration has announced a $3.1 million grant to support agricultural processing and production in southwest Washington. The grant will be used to build a grain storage and rail transload facility at the Port of Chehalis in Chehalis, Washington. This investment is projected to create or retain over 50 jobs, attract $3.4 million in private investment, and leverage $1.8 million in state and local funds.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo, expressed the agency's satisfaction in providing targeted grants to support local business growth. The new facility will benefit the agriculture industry, strengthening the local economy in southwest Washington.
Senator Patty Murray emphasized the importance of the grant, stating that it will not only support the agriculture industry and local businesses but also create well-paying jobs in the area. President Biden and congressional Democrats are working towards constructing an economy that benefits the middle class and provides resources for communities like Chehalis to thrive.
Senator Maria Cantwell highlighted that these federal resources are an investment and a vote of confidence in the future of Lewis County. The new grain storage and loading facility will support 50 local jobs, boost the grain industry in southwest Washington, and enhance access to new and existing markets for farmers.
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez emphasized the significance of investing in infrastructure to support local farmers and producers. She expressed gratitude to the community leaders who brought this initiative to their attention, noting that it is a crucial step towards creating a federal government that can effectively respond to local needs.
Overall, the grant from the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration will provide much-needed resources to the Port of Chehalis, supporting local businesses, creating new jobs, and strengthening the agriculture industry in southwest Washington. The investment aligns with President Biden's agenda of Investing in America, which aims to foster economic growth and prosperity in communities across the country.
