Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.98 million grant to the city of San Diego, California, to make stormwater infrastructure improvements needed to mitigate the impact of flooding on local industry. The EDA grant, to be matched with $5.98 million in local investment, is expected to help retain 2,000 jobs.
“The Trump Administration is working hard to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and improve economic resilience in the wake of natural disasters,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This project will build the infrastructure needed to reduce flooding and sedimentation that negatively impacts downstream industry and businesses in San Diego’s Maple Canyon.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This project will support the final design, permitting, easement acquisition, and construction of vital infrastructure needed to protect San Diego businesses.”
This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.
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.