Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $700,375 grant to the city of Sweet Home, Oregon, for utility infrastructure improvements to serve businesses in the region.
This grant will provide for three power generators, providing uninterrupted service and water to businesses in a region recently impacted by winter storms. This EDA investment will be matched with $175,094 in local funds.
“EDA plays an important role in supporting locally driven disaster recovery and resiliency plans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This EDA investment will help to ensure that the local economy continues to thrive in the event of future storms.”
“Oregon’s rural communities often face many of the same challenges as more populated areas but with less resources to address them,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “This timely investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will support businesses in the city of Sweet Home through another winter season.”
“Ensuring that small businesses in rural communities have the resources they need to thrive and expand is essential to towns like Sweet Home,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “This federal investment helps support small businesses here in Oregon and will help communities be more resilient to natural disasters caused by the climate crisis. I will continue to push for more resources like this for Oregon’s small businesses and rural communities.”
“When extreme weather strikes, we need to make sure our local businesses have the tools they need to keep their doors open and serving Oregon’s communities,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “EDA plays a critical role in disaster recovery and this federal funding to bring new, reliable power generators to Sweet Home will help businesses in the region weather the worst impacts of the storms and keep their local economy going. I will continue to do all that I can to ensure that every available resource is allocated to protect Oregonians’ lives and livelihoods from the worst impacts of catastrophic weather.”
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG). EDA funds OCWCOG 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.
This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.
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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.