Here’s the press release from Senator Kay Hagan:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kay Hagan today announced that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is receiving more than $4.8 million in federal grants for highway repairs and economic development. The awards include two Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants totaling $4.7 million to pay for repairs made to roads damaged by flooding last year in Jackson and Swain Counties. Additionally, the Eastern Band is receiving $145,000 from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to establish an economic development strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation in five Western North Carolina counties.
“While our economy is showing signs of progress, many of our westernmost counties continue to experience higher than average unemployment rates,” said Hagan. “Jobs are my top priority, and I am pleased that these grants will help establish a roadmap to strengthen the region’s economy and foster job creation, while providing relief from the high costs of repairing transportation infrastructure, which we know is critical to supporting tourism and local businesses.”
About the FHWA grants
The two grants awarded by the FHWA, which include $3.1 million for Jackson County and $1.6 million for Swain County, were awarded through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program. The program is intended to pay the unusually heavy expenses associated with repairing and reconstructing Federal roads to pre-disaster conditions.
About the EDA grant
The $145,000 grant awarded by the EDA supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the region served by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which is comprised of Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson and Swain Counties.
The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors to establish regional goals and objectives, develop and implement a regional plan of action, and identify investment priorities and funding sources. A CEDS is required in order to apply for certain investment assistance programs under the EDA.
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