Shaheen Announces $379K to Support COVID-19 Economic Recovery Efforts in Strafford County

**During federal budget negotiations, Shaheen led successful efforts to prevent the Economic Development Administration – the agency administering this grant – from being eliminated and help secure these funds**

(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced the award of $379,131 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC). These are funds appropriated as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will allow the commission to hire a new, full-time economic recovery coordinator who will boost revitalization efforts in the area and aid local communities and businesses in their recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19. Senator Shaheen secured these funds through her role as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SRPC is one of New Hampshire’s nine regional planning commissions and supports local governments in their policy planning and economic development.

“We need to ensure Granite State businesses and communities get the support and resources they need to recover from the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Shaheen, the lead Democrat of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee, which provides funding for the EDA. “By allowing the Strafford Regional Planning Commission to hire an economic recovery coordinator, this federal funding will support economic revitalization efforts in Strafford Country and help local businesses and communities continue their recovery from this crisis. I’ll continue to fight for more assistance for Granite State communities and businesses in any upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation”

The mission of EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. During federal budget negotiations, Shaheen led successful efforts to prevent the EDA – the agency administering this grant – from being eliminated.