U.S. Commerce Department Announces $7.2 Million Investments to Support Business Growth and Job Creation in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will award $7.2 million in investments to support business development and job training in distressed communities in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. The projects are expected to create 2,258 new jobs and support the retention of an additional 200 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“These $7.2 million in investments are an example of the Obama administration’s commitment to creating jobs and promoting our nation’s economic competitiveness,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grants announced today will support tourism growth in Utah and expand job training programs in distressed communities in California, Nevada, and Oregon, which are crucial to ensuring a skilled 21st century workforce.”

The investments announced today include:

·      In California, a $1.86 million EDA grant to Central Valley Opportunity Center, Inc., of Winton will support construction of three buildings that will expand vocational and job training opportunities in Merced County. Construction of these new facilities is expected to result in the creation of 432 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

·      In Nevada, a $2.25 million EDA grant to Truckee Meadows Community College of Reno will fund renovation of the Applied Industrial Technology Center, which provides job training in the clean energy, advanced mining, materials and manufacturing, and logistics industries. According to grantee estimates, the facility will help fill employers’ needs for 1,600 new job openings in these industries.

·      In Oregon, a $1.5 million EDA grant to Linn-Benton Community College of Albany will fund renovation and construction of a new building at the Advanced Transportation Technology Center. The center trains technicians in advanced manufacturing as well as in research, design, building, and operation of high-efficiency alternative fuel vehicles. The project is expected to create 203 new jobs and retain 200 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

·      In Utah, a $1.59 million EDA grant to the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education in Monticello will support construction on the Canyon Country Discovery Center. Renovations will support the growth of the tourism cluster in the region, and create or save 35 jobs in addition to leveraging $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.