U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Design and Engineering of Solar-Hydroelectric Power Plant on Tribal Reservation in[...]

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, Ivins, Utah, for the design and engineering of a solar farm and hydroelectric power plant. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The project will develop energy infrastructure on the Tribal Reservation to support economic diversity and resilience for the Tribe.

"President Biden is committed to supporting Tribal communities in their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA investment will facilitate hands-on training for the Choctaw in a modern, innovative space, creating new economic opportunity in the region."

"Tribal communities were disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "This EDA investment will support energy independence and economic growth for the Shivwits Band of Paiutes Tribe, creating a stronger regional economy."

This project is funded under EDA's American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA's most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Five County Association of Governments. EDA funds the Five County Association of Governments to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the tribal economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.