The Puget Sound region was designated as one of 12 “manufacturing communities” by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce today.
That means that the area will be available to receive a share of $1.3 billion in federal economic development assistance and have access to coordinated support from several federal agencies.
A a dedicated federal liaison at each of the agencies that will help businesses and the region navigate available federal resources.
The Puget Sound region will also be recognized on a government website, accessible to private foreign and domestic investors, looking for information on communities’ competitive attributes.
In this area, the effort will be led by the Puget Sound Regional Council.
The U.S. Commerce Department-led program is designed to create a resurgence of manufacturing in communities nationwide by helping develop long-term economic development strategies.
Seventy communities applied and 12 were selected based on the strength of their economic development plans, the potential for impact in the communities and partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Other manufacturing areas include: southwest Alabama; Southern California; northwest Georgia; the Chicago metro region; south Kansas; greater Portland region in Maine; southeastern Michigan; the New York Finger Lakes region; southwestern Ohio aerospace region; the Tennessee Valley; and the Milwaukee 7 region.
More info: http://www.eda.gov/challenges/imcp/index.htm.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
