Economic Development Administration

In September 2021, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) a 

The US Department of Commerce's Department of Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.1 million grant to the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma (Ada) to build a fixed wireless high-speed internet network. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Indigenous Communities program. This project will provide expanded, high-speed internet access to the Tribal community, promoting entrepreneurship and workforce development. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA).

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to Lafayette City (LA) Parish Consolidated Government, doing business as LUS Fiber, to establish high-speed internet connectivity in support of business and job growth in Jennings (LA). This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will construct ten miles of conduit and fiber optic cable to connect the medical and business district in Jennings.

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to the city of Waterloo (IA) to expand internet connectivity for the city’s business corridor. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will construct a middle mile fiber network, supporting business growth, telemedicine connectivity, and virtual educational opportunities.

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $2.7 million grant to Golden State Finance Authority, Sacramento, California, for high-speed internet planning. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will support the development of a strategic plan to guide the expansion of high-speed internet across 26 rural counties of California. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to generate $400 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $4.5 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Port of Lewiston, Lewiston, Idaho, to expand internet connectivity for commerce, public health and safety and learning in North Central Idaho. This project will support the construction of a 95-mile segment of fiberoptic cable running from Moscow to Grangeville. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.1 million in local funds and is expected to create 120 jobs, according to grantee estimates. 

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $3.8 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance grant to El Dorado County (CA) to increase internet connectivity. This project will expand the reach of high-speed internet in portions of El Dorado County, promoting job creation and economic diversification in the region.

The Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the Sullivan County Division of Public Works in Monticello (NY) to increase local internet connectivity. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will enhance community high-speed internet throughout Sullivan County, promoting job creation and economic diversification in the region.

The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $511,855 grant to Washington County Fair, Inc., in Greenwich (NY) to increase local internet connectivity. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan. This project will support the installation of high-speed internet service with live broadcasting capabilities at the Washington County Fairgrounds.

When the Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN) launched in late 2017 to develop north-central Indiana into a global epicenter for digital agriculture and the Internet of Things (IoT), it turned to Dr. Johnny Park for leadership. Since 2018, Park has served as CEO of WHIN and its pacesetting efforts in a 10-county area of the Hoosier state. Park joined WHIN from Spensa, a successful IoT agtech startup he founded.