Recovery at Commerce Department of Commerce

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced multiple grants, drawing on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The grants include:

• $1.26 Million to the City of Ladysmith, Wisconsin;
• $184,000 to the City of Kennedy, Minnesota;
• $616,441 to the Village of Milledgeville, Illinois;
• $2.96 million to the City of Fremont, Ohio;
• $1.9 million to the City of Little Rock, Arkansas;
• $843,052 to the City of Muskogee, Oklahoma;
• $600,000 to the City of Richland Center, Wisconsin;
• $1.75 million to ACCION New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico;
• $1.5 million to the Port of Pasco in Pasco, Washington;

The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it is awarding grants totaling more than $55.5 million to four universities to provide cost-shared support for the construction of new scientific research facilities.

“These awards mean four major construction projects in these local areas, with the jobs and economic benefits they bring,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, “but even more important, these four projects provide a major boost to scientific research at four respected universities, enhancing innovation, public safety and environmental protection for many, many years to come.”

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced significant efforts by the department to support access for minority-owned businesses to Recovery Act opportunities. Locke, along with Commerce senior advisor Rick Wade, held a conference call with reporters to discuss the department’s commitment to improving outreach and education.

“President Obama is committed to ensuring that minority businesses are aware of and have access to federal contracts and funding opportunities,” Locke said. “The success of minority-owned businesses is vital to our economic recovery, and we’re working hard to make sure they have access to these important federal opportunities.” (More) (www.mbda.gov)

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced today 50 habitat restoration projects that will restore damaged wetlands, shellfish beds, coral reefs and reopen fish passages that boost the health and resiliency of our nation’s coastal and Great Lakes communities. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was provided $167 million for marine and coastal habitat restoration.

"These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” Locke said. “They reflect our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies.”