Press Release

Marine Industry of Central Oregon Coast Receives U.S. EDA Support to Create Local Jobs

April 14, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $75,000 grant to the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation of Newport, Ore., to help develop a strategy to modernize the marine industry sector of the Central Oregon Coast.

"Supporting our nation's fisheries and marine industries is essential to our nation's economic competiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "This EDA grant will create job opportunities and advance commercial opportunities by utilizing the region's entrepreneurial culture and assets in the Central Oregon Coast."

"There are opportunities on the near horizon that have strong potential to help diversify and stabilize Lincoln County's economy," said Caroline Bauman, Executive Director, Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation.

This EDA grant will support the preparation of an economic development strategy for the Oregon Counties of Benton, Lane, Lincoln, and Linn. The Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation will identify economic and commercial opportunities within the marine industries to create higher-skill, living-wage job opportunities through technological innovation.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

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.