Jump to main content.

THIS IS AN ARCHIVED SITE

This site contains information that has been considered archived and will no longer be updated. Please click here to go to the CURRENT eda.gov website.

A bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce
Newsroom

Newsroom

Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.7 Million to Develop Critical Infrastructure to Create Jobs in North Carolina

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Friday, June 6, 2014


WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2.7 million in grants to improve infrastructure and create jobs in Clinton, Blowing Rock, and Johnston County, North Carolina. According to grantee estimates, these projects are expected to create nearly 200 new jobs, support the retention of more than 110 existing jobs, and generate more than $100 million in private investment.

“The Obama Administration is committed to helping set the conditions that enable communities to create jobs and be competitive in today’s global economy,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grants announced today will help North Carolina counties make needed upgrades to infrastructure which is vitally necessary to both grow local businesses and attract new investment in the state.”

The investments announced today include:

  • In Clinton, a $1.75 million EDA grant will fund the construction of water and sewer infrastructure needed to meet demand from the Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels, Inc. According to the grantee, the improvements will increase capacity and enable Carolina Cellulosic Biofuels, Inc. to create career-oriented jobs with appropriate salaries and benefits commensurate with the skills required, which will be considerably above the county average. The grantee estimates that the project will create 65 new jobs as well as several hundred short-term construction and indirect jobs.
  • In Blowing Rock, a $426,945 EDA grant will construct water and wastewater infrastructure to serve the new Appalachian Regional Healthcare System facility. The new facility is expected to strengthen the regional healthcare services cluster and help further diversify the local economy, reducing the dependence on tourism. The grantee estimates that the project will create 19 new jobs, retain 110 existing jobs, and generate $2.275 million private investment.
  • In Johnston County, a $520,000 grant will make critical improvements to the Johnston County Regional Wastewater Treatment plant to strengthen the region's biotech/pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster and facilitate the expansion of manufacturing firms located in the East Clayton Industrial Area. According to the grantee, the investment is expected to create 110 long-term jobs and spur $102 million in private investment.

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.