Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.58 million grant to help make water infrastructure improvements needed to support additional commercial growth at the Port of Paulsboro. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 150 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment.
“The Port of Paulsboro’s initiative to expand and improve the marine terminal will creating new business opportunities and local jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Moreover, this project will help ensure that the Port’s workforce remains safe from the threat of fire.”
“This investment will bring jobs and resources to the area, while improving the health and safety of workers and families in Paulsboro,” said Congressman Norcross (NJ-01). “When the Port of Paulsboro thrives, our South Jersey economy thrives. Thanks to this grant, our marine terminal will now run safer and more efficiently for years to come.”
This investment will support the installation of a new water main to the Paulsboro Marine Terminal and distribution within the terminal property, providing potable water and fire protection. The construction of this water line is critical to port operations and will facilitate the development of an additional 150 acres of land, for businesses that trade, ship, process, or distribute maritime cargoes and products. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Jersey Economic Development District. EDA funds South Jersey Economic Development District 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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.