Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.5 Million to Build Critical Infrastructure and Create Jobs in Tennessee

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Monday, August 25, 2014

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $1.5 million to support core infrastructure in Kingsport, Tennessee. According to the grantee, EDA’s investment will create an estimated 120 jobs in the area and generate $640 million in private investment.

“The Obama Administration is committed to improving our nation’s infrastructure, which is crucial for both economic growth and job creation,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The EDA grant announced today will help make vital water infrastructure improvements that will enable a major employer in the Kingsport area to expand, creating new jobs and economic opportunity in the community.”

The EDA grant will help make water infrastructure improvements that will provide a consistent, reliable water source to businesses, including supporting the recently announced expansion of Eastman Chemical Company, which produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products for manufacturing and business use.

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.