/ Financial / EDA Grants Assist California Roads, Freight Rail Project to Support Texas, Arkansas

EDA Grants Assist California Roads, Freight Rail Project to Support Texas, Arkansas

Parul Dubey on February 6, 2018 - in Financial, News

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration said it is awarding a $2.9 million grant to support a road infrastructure project in California, and $1.5 million for a freight rail project that supports business in Northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas.

The EDA said it expects the projects from both grants to spur millions more in private investment in those areas.

It said it awarded the California grant to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians of Highland, Calif., “to make critical roadway improvements required to further develop the infrastructure of the region.”

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that “the new roads providing access to the airport and commercial zone in Highland will support local business needs and create new job opportunities for the community.”

The announcement said the project will include construction of two new roads to support access to the local airport and commercial zone in the vicinity of the San Manuel Reservation. “The improved infrastructure will increase capacity for businesses located in the region while providing high-paying employment opportunities for the local workforce,” the EDA said.

The agency said the grantee estimates that the project should create 394 jobs and led to $23 million in private investment.

The $1.5 million grant goes to Mount Vernon, Texas, to make rail infrastructure improvements needed to support business development and expansion in northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas.

The project, the EDA said, “will make improvements to the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation corridor, including the construction of a transload facility and spur that will support the efficient movement of international shipping containers, in addition to providing existing businesses with the opportunity to access new markets and cut transportation costs.”

According to grantee estimates, it is expected to create 82 jobs, retain 55 more and generate $2 million in private investment.  

Ross said that project “will help attract new businesses to the region while providing the opportunity for existing businesses to grow.”

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