U.S. Commerce Department Announces $4 Million Grant to Burley, Idaho for Job Creation and Business Expansion
The U.S. Department of Commerce, headed by Secretary Gina Raimondo, has revealed plans to allocate a $4 million grant to the city of Burley, Idaho. The grant, facilitated by the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), aims to promote job creation and facilitate the expansion of businesses in the region.
The grant will primarily support the expansion of an industrial wastewater treatment facility, thereby providing an increased capacity to local businesses and entrepreneurs. The EDA investment of $4 million will be supplemented with $6.3 million in local funds. The investment is projected to create over 500 jobs and generate an estimated $757 million in private investment, according to calculations provided by the grantee.
The initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which emphasizes infrastructure as a fundamental element for building an inclusive economy. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo affirmed that the EDA grant would not only significantly enhance Idaho’s water infrastructure but would also stimulate the state’s economy by generating good-paying, family-sustaining jobs.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo underscored the pivotal role of the Economic Development Administration in aiding communities to execute their plans for providing crucial infrastructure that businesses require to thrive. She highlighted that the project would usher in vital infrastructural improvements to diversify the regional economy and generate employment.
The grant was made feasible by the regional planning efforts spearheaded by the Region IV Development Association, Inc. (RIVDA). The EDA funds RIVDA to amalgamate public and private sectors to formulate an economic development roadmap. This blueprint aims to fortify the regional economy, encourage private capital investment, and foster job creation.
