U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements to Boost Business Growth in Jackson, Tennessee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to the Jackson Energy Authority in Jackson, Tennessee, to make wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to attract and retain businesses to the region.

This grant will support installation of a new sludge drying system for the Miller Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant in Jackson. This EDA investment will be matched with $5.3 million in local funds.

"The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all communities in Tennessee and across the country have the resources they need to grow and thrive," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA investment will help attract and retain businesses to Jackson, helping build regional economic resilience."

"The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity," 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. "EDA is proud to partner with communities in Tennessee to support the infrastructure improvements needed to grow and sustain local economies."

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.