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U.S. EDA Supports Economic Development Planning in Bradley County, TN


WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $125,000 grant to the city of Cleveland, the city of Charleston and Bradley County, Tenn., to help boost comprehensive planning efforts critical to the region's future sustainable growth.

"The Bradley region is attracting dynamic companies and has tremendous potential to continue to grow and become an economic engine in Tennessee," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help implement the critical planning that is needed to foster sustainable development for the region."

"At present, Volkswagen, Wacker Chemie, and Amazon.com have plans to hire thousands of workers and invest millions in private investment. The comprehensive planning effort will guide the response to the issues and concerns that arise from this unprecedented growth," said Tom Rowland, Mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee.

The EDA grant will facilitate development of a comprehensive plan for sustainable growth in Bradley County, which is experiencing a transformation due to the influx of new industry. The regional plan will target three areas projected to contain the most densely populated growth, including in Cleveland's central business core, and will support and promote economic revitalization, energy efficient transportation options, and regional economic competitiveness.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):

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.