Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.75 million grant to the Southern Illinois Airport Authority of Carbondale, to build two new buildings in support of the region’s growing aviation industry. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 45 jobs and spur $400,000 in private investment.
“Through the diligence of local leaders, Illinois’ burgeoning aviation cluster has the ingredients for success,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Providing more space for growing industry and workforce training opportunities is a win-win for workers as well as local businesses.”
This project includes the construction of two new pre-engineered hangar buildings to facilitate the expansion of several private aviation companies. It will also leverage workforce training opportunities at Southern Illinois University’s Transportation Education Center. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission. EDA funds the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission 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.