News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the city of Salina. The grant will support drainage and road improvement projects which will allow for business expansion. This investment is expected to create 225 jobs, retain 1,200 jobs and generate a projected $600 million in private investment.

“Strong local economies are key to recovering from this pandemic, and federal investments like this one help accomplish important regional economic development goals,” said Sen. Moran. “This grant will support local business expansion in Salina, keeping jobs in the area and creating new opportunities for the local workforce. I will continue to work with our federal agencies to make certain that Kansas is a priority when these resources are distributed.”

“President Biden is committed to unleashing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Salina will provide infrastructure improvements needed to support the expansion of a major food manufacturer – creating a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The utility, storm drainage, and street improvements to be made near Centennial Ditch with the assistance of this EDA investment will improve the area’s flood resiliency while creating new job opportunities.”

This project was made possible by the North Central Regional Planning Commission’s regional planning efforts, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs. The grant will be matched with $939,200 in local investment.

The grant was funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19.

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