U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $7.1 Million to Improve Disaster Resilience at the Big Pasco Industrial Center in Pasco, Washington

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration issued the following news release:

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $7.1 million grant to the Port of Pasco in Pasco, Washington, to make roadway and storm water management improvements needed to support the continuous operation of the Big Pasco Industrial Center. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 270 jobs and retain 100 jobs.

"The Trump Administration is working extremely hard to help communities impacted by recent natural disasters not only to recover, but to build back stronger," said Secretary Ross. "The improved Big Pasco Industrial Center will allow multi-modal transportation efforts to continue unabated in the face of future snow melts."

"Improving infrastructure resilience at Big Pasco Industrial Center will benefit the Tri-Cities economy and have a positive impact on jobs," said Rep. Dan Newhouse. "This grant will help the Port of Pasco meet transportation needs for businesses despite adverse weather conditions."

The Big Pasco Industrial Center's capacity to serve businesses was impacted by the winter 2017 snowmelt. The Center provides multi-modal transportation from barge to rail and road, and is an essential asset to the tri-cities area in Franklin County. This project will accelerate and improve the resilience of the business park by repaving damaged roads and installing storm water management drains.

This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires, and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.

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.