Press Release
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $569,204 to Extend Fiber Optic Network to Industrial Areas in Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
May 1, 2017
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $569,204 grant to Somerset County, Pennsylvania, to expand critical fiber optic infrastructure to serve regional business interests. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 42, retain 20 jobs, and generate $25 million in private investment.
“We commend Somerset County for working to spur economic opportunities through infrastructure improvements,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Dennis Alvord. “This project will expand fiber optic lines within Somerset County, providing access to commercial and industrial areas.”
The fiber optic expansion will serve key countywide industrial areas including the Somerset Industrial Park, Laurel Highlands Business Park, the Borough of Meyersdale, and the North Star Industrial Park. The infrastructure will generate further economic development and improve connectivity for vital services across the region.
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.