U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Business Park Upgrades in Rome, New York

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million grant to Griffiss Local Development Corporation, Rome, New York, for the installation of natural gas boilers at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This grant will support the business park as it works to meet the long-term heating demands of its business tenants. The EDA investment will be matched with $645,200 in local funds and is expected to create 30 jobs and generate $200,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"President Biden's American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build a better America," said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. "This EDA investment will provide the infrastructure necessary to maintain and expand commercial occupancy at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, creating a stronger, more robust regional economy."

"The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support locally-driven strategies to boost business recovery efforts in New York," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "This project will replace an outdated central heating system with reliable, natural gas boilers, attracting new businesses and creating economic resiliency."

"I am proud we secured this $2.6 million to upgrade the Griffiss Business & Technology Park and supercharge the Mohawk Valley's efforts to attract new businesses, create good paying jobs, and strengthen the local economy," said Senator Charles Schumer. "Griffiss represents the single largest concentration of high paying employment opportunities in the Mohawk Valley and this federal boost will give Rome the modern infrastructure it needs to accelerate our economic recovery and help Oneida County grow."

"This funding will be a game-changer for businesses at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "I am proud to have fought to pass the American Rescue Plan, which provided the funds for this upgrade, and I'll keep working to bring funding home to New York and help our local businesses thrive."

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.

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.