U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.3 Million for Infrastructure Improvements to Support Clean Energy Business Growth in Gonzales, 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 Ascension Parish Government in Gonzales, Louisiana, for roadway infrastructure improvements at the RiverPlex MegaPark.

This grant will support clean energy business growth in the region. This EDA investment will be matched with $586,857 in local funds and is expected to create more than 450 jobs and generate $9.5 billion in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"President Biden's Investing in America agenda is a commitment to ensuring that communities in Louisiana and across the country have the resources needed to grow strong, resilient regional economies," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA investment will increase growth in the clean energy sector, create quality, high-paying jobs, and increase economic opportunity for workers in the region."

"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 investment in Ascension Parish will attract clean energy manufacturers and distributors, creating hundreds of jobs and developing a robust regional economy."

"This grant represents a significant commitment from the federal government to foster clean energy business growth in Louisiana. Investing in roadway infrastructure improvements at the RiverPlex MegaPark will boost local economic diversification, create over 450 jobs, and generate an anticipated $9.5 billion of private investment. This forward-looking approach to economic resilience emphasizes regional collaboration and the EDA's commitment to sustainable development and job creation," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC). EDA funds CRPC 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.