U.S. Department of Commerce invests $2 million for water infrastructure improvements to support job growth in Stuttgart | Stuttgart Daily Leader

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to Stuttgart Industrial Development Corporation for water infrastructure improvements to support job growth in the region.

This grant will expand the water and sewer services at Stuttgart Industrial Park to support manufacturing business growth. This EDA investment will be matched with $515,013 in local funds and is expected to create 54 jobs and generate $79 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

Bethany Hildebrand, CEO of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the project: “This $2 million grant is a critical step in preparing our Industrial Park for future development. With this funding, we’ll finally be able to bring water and sewer infrastructure to the site, paving the way for job growth in our region. However, this doesn’t cover 100% of the project. We have a second grant application in for the remainder, but this gives us a great start on the project.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing the infrastructure to support economic growth in Arkansas and across the country,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the water and sewer services needed to support manufacturing business growth, spurring private investment and creating jobs for a stronger regional economy.”

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration supports locally led, place-based economic growth,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will provide needed infrastructure to expand the Stuttgart Industrial Park, attracting agriculture manufacturing businesses and creating jobs in the region.”

“For far too long, infrastructure investment in rural America has been ignored by the federal government. In Arkansas, we know better than most that focused investments in our farming communities can help ensure their economic success,” said Representative Eric Crawford (AR-1). “Stuttgart is the Rice Capital of America, and I’m pleased that this investment will bolster the businesses that will power the continued growth of Arkansas’ largest industry, agriculture, well into the future.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District (SEAEDD). EDA funds SEAEDD 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.