Press Release

Barberton, Ohio Receives Commerce Department Support to Create Jobs in the Wake of 2008 Floods

June 25, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

US Rep. Sutton Applauds Investment to Lakeside Innovation Business Park

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a nearly $1.6 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Barberton Community Development Corporation of Barberton, Ohio for infrastructure to support the development of the Lakeside Innovation Business Park.

"The Obama Administration is committed to supporting job creation and has invested in Ohio to advance economic recovery in the wake of the 2008 floods," Secretary Locke said. "This EDA grant will develop a flood-protected business park that will attract innovative new businesses to the region."

"This public-private partnership will help spur the economic recovery of Barberton and Summit County," Congresswoman Betty Sutton (OH-13) said. "Fully-developed, the Lakeside Innovation Business Park will help create hundreds of new jobs in the economy of the future."

The investment will help Barberton demolish three buildings; install park signage; and build landscape mounds, three detention basins, a pavilion building and a conference center; in addition to water, sewer and access improvements.

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.