EDA Awards $2.7M for Golden Triangle Infrastructure
WARREN, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded a $2.7 million grant to Trumbull County for road and sewer infrastructure improvements in the Golden Triangle industrial area in the city of Warren and Howland township.
The grant for the 1,000-acre area comes from the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan said in a news release announcing the grant late Tuesday afternoon.
Trumbull County, one of 32 Ohio counties considered to be part of Appalachia, is recovering from job losses and disinvestment due to the closure of a coal plants in the city of Niles and throughout the region, according to the release.
The grant will help attract and retain manufacturing businesses with infrastructure upgrades such as roads, sidewalks, and rail, according to the release. This project is expected to generate more investment and build a more resilient manufacturing industry to further diversify the regional economy.
“We appreciate EDA and Congressman Ryan for making this funding available to the Golden Triangle Coalition for further infrastructure improvements. Currently, 36 industrial, manufacturing and wholesale businesses will benefit from this project. These companies generate economic prosperity by providing approximately 1,700 jobs in Trumbull County, not counting the jobs they create in other dependent industries like retail and food services,” said Rick Clark, Howland Township Trustee/Chair.
“I can proudly say this is a perfect example of regional cooperation that has greatly benefited our area as evidenced by a measurable increase in economic activities. I cannot be more grateful to our partners as this shows what we can accomplish by working together,” added Warren Mayor Doug Franklin.
“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan helps communities tackle the challenges that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic,” Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo said. “This EDA investment in Trumbull County will help bring manufacturing jobs back to the region and will strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global market.”
The EDA investment will be matched with $664,459 in local funds and is expected to create 116 jobs, retain 118 jobs and generate $47 million in private investment.
“EDA is proud to continue to support Trumbull County’s efforts to position the Golden Triangle Industrial Area as a strong source of economic activity that will attract private investment and high-paying jobs to a region that has grappled with disinvestment over the years,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said.
“The American Rescue Plan continues to deliver for our cities, towns, and communities in the Mahoning Valley that have yet to see much of the economic recovery happening in other areas across the country,” Ryan, D-13 Ohio, said. “This investment will not only create new good-paying jobs in our region, but it will also support our growing manufacturing sector and help usher in the economy of our future in Trumbull County.”
The funds will help ensure that the county has “the resources it needs to attract and retain manufacturing talent to the region,” U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said. “I’m pleased to see the Economic Development Administration recognize the strength of Ohio workers, and I support any effort that creates jobs in Ohio.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
