Press Release
U.S. EDA Invests to Help Washington, Missouri Region Create New Manufacturing Jobs
May 4, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $973,551 grant to the city of Washington, Mo., to help create new manufacturing jobs by building a rail spur that will increase the capacity of the John F. Feltman Industrial Park.
"The region has been hard-hit by cutbacks and closures in the automotive sector," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help build a rail spur that will ease the transfer of goods, allowing industries located in the Feltman Industrial Park to expand and create new, higher-skilled, living-wage job opportunities."
"With industries in Washington looking to expand, the rail facility will allow for the efficient transport of goods from the industries located in the industrial park. The Team Track facility will provide expanding and new manufacturers of large end products a viable shipping alternative and will help to diversify the region's economic base," said Darren Lamb, Director of Planning and Engineering for the city of Washington.
The investment is expected to generate $26 million in private investment and create 150 new jobs, according to grantee estimates. The jobs created as a result of the expansion will provide employment opportunities for those workers who have been displaced by the automotive industry restructuring.
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.