WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren today announced an $843,052 Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Muskogee County and the City of Muskogee to assist with roadway improvements to serve the Harris-Shawnee Corridor Development Project. The funding is made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or stimulus package, which was signed into law in February. Boren, the only member of Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation to vote for the package, said the grant will help provide economic development and private investment in the area which will lead to additional jobs.
“My hometown, Muskogee, is the largest community in the Second Congressional District and its economic health is essential to eastern Oklahoma. I supported the stimulus package because it contained critical infrastructure and economic development funding for areas like Muskogee County. This project will provide jobs in the short term and will boost private investment in the county by improving the transportation system that is necessary to support long term business expansion and job creation,” Boren said.
“This will help open a new arena for Muskogee in the sense that health care opportunities and patient access will be greatly expanded. Opportunities created by this private investment provide generations of patients with a better quality of life. “This has been a herculean effort, I would especially thank Congressman Boren for his support and EODD for virtually changing this part of Oklahoma,” said Commissioner Gene Wallace
The transportation improvements made possible by the grant are phase one of two in the development of a new $65 million community hospital facility for Muskogee, the county, and surrounding areas.
The EDA is an agency within the U.S. Commerce Department that supports the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. Its mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.eda.gov.
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