Press Release
U.S. Commerce Department Announces $1.6 Million Investment to Support New Regional Medical Center in Talbot County, Maryland
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski Applauds Critical Economic Development Investment
Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Friday, August 16, 2013
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to Talbot County, Maryland, to support the development of a new University of Maryland Medical System/Shore Health System regional medical center.
“This $1.6 million investment is an example of the Obama administration’s commitment to supporting affordable health care for all Americans, which will strengthen our economy,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grant announced today will provide Talbot County with the critical infrastructure it needs to ensure that residents retain access to health care while supporting future business development.”
“This is smart spending that sustains and creates jobs and protects community health in Talbot County and across the Mid-Shore,” Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) said. “This grant means the Mid-Shore will have the infrastructure it needs to keep the medical center from moving existing jobs outside of the region. This grant also creates construction jobs today and private sector jobs tomorrow. And it protects community health by keeping this medical center in the region so the people of the Mid-Shore – especially children and seniors – will continue to have access to the health care they need.”
The EDA investment supports the construction of a new wastewater system and pump station to serve the proposed Shore Health System’s Regional Medical Center Campus in Easton. The region has outgrown the existing Easton Memorial Hospital, and relocating the hospital would potentially move 2,100 jobs out of an area of the state with one of the highest unemployment rates and hurt the area’s access to health care. EDA’s investment will not only support the new medical center, but also support medical private practices and other additional businesses looking to locate in the vicinity.
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.