The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced an $8.1 million investment in the state of Louisiana through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funding, unveiled by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, is designed to boost workforce development and facilitate business growth.
Three significant EDA investments have been announced. SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles will receive a $3.5 million grant to establish a Flight Training School and support aerospace workforce development. Matched with $3.1 million in local funds, this initiative is expected to create or retain 170 jobs and generate $2.2 million in private investment.
The South Central Planning and Development Commission in Houma is set to receive a $2.6 million EDA grant for building infrastructure improvements to support workforce development and create jobs. This project, matched with $2.6 million in local funds, is anticipated to create 40 new jobs.
Lastly, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development and Port District in Westwego will receive a $2 million EDA grant to construct the Greater New Orleans Food & Beverage Incubator. The facility will provide assistance to small businesses in the region. Matched with $2.2 million in local funds, this project is expected to retain 420 jobs and generate $62.2 million in private investment.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized the administration’s commitment to “ensuring that all communities in Louisiana and across the country have the resources needed to grow and thrive.” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo also iterated the importance of supporting locally-developed strategies to create economic opportunities and build a trained workforce in a variety of industries.
The projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provides additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery in areas hit by natural disasters in 2021 and 2022.
