U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.7 Million to Make Critical Flood Control Infrastructure Improvements to Support Business Development in Cedar Rapids

WASHINGTON, July 7 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release:

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross today announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help establish flood control infrastructure that will protect the Central Business District from future flood disasters. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to help save more than 440 jobs and generate $432,000 in private investment.

"The Trump Administration is committed to not only retaining jobs in this country, but also to creating new opportunities through infrastructure improvements," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "I look forward to seeing how Cedar Rapids' new flood control system will help businesses grow and thrive."

In 2008, Cedar Rapids experienced a devastating flood that caused approximately $2 billion in damages. The project will relocate the transmission water main and construct a new permanent flood control structure along the banks of the Cedar River to protect manufacturing and other businesses.