Press Release
U.S. EDA Invests to Advance Innovation and Entrepreneurship in North Central Washington
June 29, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $96,072 grant to North Central Washington Economic Development District of Wenatchee, Wash., to help develop a regionally-based comprehensive entrepreneurship/innovation program.
"Creating local jobs is President Obama's top priority and he has taken significant steps to support entrepreneurs and small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstone of our communities," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help to establish a program that will provide the education and training, mentoring, online networking, and technical assistance needed to expand business opportunities in North Central Washington."
"EDA funding and support has allowed North Central Washington to develop and align partnerships to strategically grow our regional economy through entrepreneurship and innovation, allowing this region to further collaborative economic development efforts that have taken us farther than we could have gone individually," Jennifer Korfiatis, Administrator of the North Central Washington Economic Development District.
The proposed investment will be part of an overreaching, long-term comprehensive economic development strategy that enhances a region's success in achieving a rising standard of living by supporting existing industry clusters, developing emerging new clusters, or attracting new regional economic drivers, new and existing businesses owners and potential entrepreneurs.
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.