U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Make Critical Water Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Protect Businesses From Flooding in Hartwell, Georgia

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- 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 $2.5 million grant to the city of Hartwell, Georgia, to make critical wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to protect businesses from future flood events. The grant, to be matched with nearly $3.3 million in local investment, is expected to help create 240 jobs and spur $320 million in private investment.

"When Hurricane Irma struck Georgia in late 2017, the Trump Administration moved rapidly to help the state recover," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. "The improvements made to Hartwell's wastewater system will help ensure that companies remain open in the event of future flood events and will help attract new businesses to the region."

"This project will improve Hartwell's wastewater treatment plant to ensure it has the capacity to serve businesses at the Hart County Industrial Park," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming. "The improvements will allow a major, new distribution center to open at the Park and will make Hartwell more resilient in the face of future natural disasters."

"The Trump Administration continues to deliver on its promise to make Georgia's infrastructure needs a priority," said U.S. Senator David Perdue. "This public-private partnership will create more than 200 new jobs and help the city of Hartwell build more resilient infrastructure for future natural disasters. This is a huge win for the community, and I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Ross for their efforts to support American workers and businesses."

"This $2.5 million investment in Hartwell's critical wastewater system will allow the city to make the improvements necessary to protect against future flooding," said Rep. Doug Collins (GA-09). "I want to thank Secretary Ross and the Trump Administration for their continued commitment to improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunity in Northeast Georgia and beyond."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. EDA funds the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

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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.