U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Support Disaster Resiliency Efforts and Boost Tourism Opportunities for the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians

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 $9.5 million grant to the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians of Pauma Valley, California, to renovate the Tribe's campground and upgrade it to improve its resiliency to future flooding events.

"The Trump Administration is rapidly responding to the urgent calls for aid by communities like the La Jolla Band devastated by natural disasters, including the storms and flooding that hit Pauma Valley," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

The project will include the demolition of two existing, flood damaged buildings, improvements to parking and roads to make them flood resistant, along with the construction of a new building, replacement of an existing septic system, and site storm drains, domestic water lines and other utilities. An emergency look-out tower will also be built.

This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1892/BILLS-115hr1892enr.pdf) (https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr1892/BILLS-115hr1892enr.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.

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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.