Press Release
U.S. EDA Invests in Regional Innovation Cluster to Help South Carolina Capitalize on Alternative Energy
June 21, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $100,000 grant to the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance of Columbia, South Carolina to develop an economic development strategy for the South Carolina hydrogen and fuel cell cluster to include the mapping of hydrogen and the fuel cell supply chain.
"President Obama is committed to growing our nation's green economy to advance our global competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will strengthen the region's global competiveness by providing an analysis and plan for the expansion of South Carolina's hydrogen and fuel cell cluster."
"This investment will help build on a strategy to increase the production and use of low/no carbon fuels such as hydrogen and the use of fuel cells for power production. The South Carolina hydrogen and fuel cell cluster will be better equipped to build on the competitive advantages it has over other locations worldwide and secure a significant portion of the industry in the state," said Shannon Baxter-Clemmons, Executive Director, South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance.
The project will further develop and update an existing 20 year strategic plan that maps the course that the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Cluster should take in order to develop the industry in the state. Activity includes the mapping of the hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain in South Carolina and the companies in the state that are or could be contributing to the industry.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.