U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.3 Million for Infrastructure Improvements to Support Job Growth in Columbia, Louisiana

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.3 million grant to the Port of Columbia in Columbia, Louisiana, for infrastructure improvements to spur private investment and create jobs in the region.

This grant will support construction of an emergency staging area to serve as a centralized hub for efficient emergency responses following natural disasters. This EDA investment will be matched with $565,000 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 12 jobs and generate $3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"Building robust infrastructure is the key to unlocking the full potential of the American economy, and the center of President Biden's economic vision," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This grant from EDA will be a vital investment for the state of Louisiana, opening the door job creation, economic growth, and critical emergency infrastructure projects,"

"The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic growth," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "This EDA investment will provide critical emergency infrastructure, supporting job growth and a robust regional economy that can weather future storms."

"This vital EDA investment will be instrumental in helping us continue to move the Fifth District forward," said Representative Julia Letlow (LA-05). "The Port of Columbia is a major economic driver for our region, attracting jobs and investment to our communities. We appreciate the EDA for making a substantial commitment to our region for critical infrastructure improvements that will continue to encourage economic growth."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Delta Regional Planning and Development District (North Delta RPDD). EDA funds North Delta RPDD 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.

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Actas a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpagefor more information.

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.