WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $4.4 million in the state of Louisiana to make critical infrastructure improvements needed to support current and future businesses in regions impacted by recent disasters.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Baton Rouge Health district in Baton Rouge will receive a $2.7 million EDA grant to support infrastructure improvements, including improved signage and intersection enhancements, needed to support business development. The project will be matched with $680,000 in local funds.
• The city of West Monroe will receive a $1.7 million EDA grant to make infrastructure improvements to deteriorated portions of the Black Bayou Canal, which serves as the main artery for stormwater drainage in the city. The project will be matched with $425,260 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to making sure the United States leads the world in infrastructure,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will allow Baton Rouge and West Monroe to obtain the modern and sustainable infrastructure needed to support businesses, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen communities.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies to help communities recover from natural disasters and become more resilient against changing climate conditions,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to assist Baton Rouge and West Monroe in their work to provide the infrastructure that their businesses need to grow and thrive.”

“Thank you to President Biden and Secretary Raimondo for the recognizing the important role that Louisiana’s life sciences sector plays in creating jobs across our state and improving health care around the world,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “This award will support the Baton Rouge Health District’s efforts to create a world-class research and health care cluster in our state capital. And the award in West Monroe advances our continuing efforts to make Louisiana more resilient through flood risk-reduction projects inland as well as along the coast. Once again, the EDA demonstrates how the federal government and states working together can transform communities.”

“This substantial EDA investment will not only bring needed infrastructure improvements to the Fifth District, but it will help create jobs in our communities and grow our economy,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05). “I’m proud to support this critical investment for the safety and emergency improvements our rural communities need.”

“These funds help provide access and improve the resilience of the Baton Rouge Health District,” said Congressman Garret Graves (LA-06). “Ensuring better access to health care is a critical facet of ensuring that our health care providers in Baton Rouge are able to provide the solutions that will make our community healthier and more resilient in the future.”

These projects are 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 Act as 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 webpage for 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.