Eastgate to Receive a $400K Cares Act Grant
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments will receive a $400,000 Cares Act Recovery Assistance grant to aid its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, announced the grant Thursday evening. The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, will be used to support the development of the logistics, electric vehicle transportation and advanced manufacturing technologies sectors with an emphasis on workforce development and infrastructure, according to a release.
“We are pleased that the Economic Development Administration is making this investment in the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments to help the region respond to this unprecedented challenge by providing comprehensive economic development support for emerging regional industries,” said Jim Kinnick, executive director of Eastgate.
“In addition, we will oversee a thorough assessment and development of a comprehensive strategic response plan to mitigate future disruptions in critical material supply chains,” he continued. “Regionally, state-of-the-art inventory, ordering, and procurement procedures and systems will be designed and implemented, ensuring an efficient acquisition process going forward.”
Additionally, the Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization in Akron will receive $400,000 in Cares Act funding to help create a comprehensive economic recovery and resiliency plan provide technical assistance and facilitate collaborative partnerships in an effort to build on the region’s strengths, including in the manufacturing, health care and information technology sectors.
“As the economy in Northeast Ohio continues to lead the way on electric vehicles and battery storage, this grant for Eastgate Regional Council of Governments will be a shot in the arm for securing the supply chain against future disruptive events,” Ryan said in his release.
“Additionally, the Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization grant will help them continue their work driving innovation in the manufacturing and health care sectors. I am proud of these two organizations and their efforts in making Northeast Ohio a great place to live and work,” he said.
“The $2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants announced by Secretary Ross is terrific news for folks across the state of Ohio,” said Portman. “These funds will help ensure that communities across Ohio have the resources they need to continue responding to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m pleased to see this CARES Act rescue money helping local communities so they can continue to serve Ohioans as the state continues to safely reopen. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure Ohioans have the resources they need during these uncertain times,” Portman added.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
