During a special announcement attended by the Weatherford Economic Development Foundation board and other dignitaries, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Foundation announced a grant for the Weatherford Business and Technology North Park.
Mayor Mike Brown said the grant will help build infrastructure and extend sewer lines, in order to draw new businesses into Weatherford.
“I’m pleased to announce the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is awarding the City Of Weatherford a $2.8 million grant to boost manufacturing, energy, industrial and commercial development by establishing the Weatherford Business and Technology Park,” Director of The Office of External Affairs and Communications at the Economic Development Administration U.S. Department of Commerce Joel Frushone said.
The new business park is about 70 acres of land which leaves plenty of room for growth in Weatherford.
“We’re hopeful with the EDA funding we’re able to develop this new area. Once we get the entirety of the infrastructure done we’ll be ready for the next wave of businesses that come this way,” Mayor Brown said.
The EDA funds opportunity zones across the United States. The EDA has invested more than $780 million dollars in opportunity zones across the country. Most of Weatherford’s Main Street is an opportunity zone.
“Not in this grant, but elsewhere in Weatherford or any opportunity zone in Oklahoma, we put that zone at the top of our list for consideration,” Frushone said.
“The $2.8 million grant awarded to Weatherford, by the EDA will help immensely as the city develops the Weatherford Business and Technology North Park,” U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said. “Not only this, but with the Trump Administration’s funding also comes significant local funding for the project. I look forward to seeing the economic growth and jobs that will come to the Weatherford community with the completion of this important development project.”
“I’m thrilled Weatherford is receiving this $2.8 million grant to fund the creation of the Weatherford Business and Technology North Park,” U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas said. “At a time when job creation and economic growth are vital to our district’s local communities, the Commerce Department’s announcement is expected to create 300 jobs, substantially benefit our communities businesses, and further fuel the economic engine of Weatherford and Custer County. I thank the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration for helping create more jobs and opportunities for my fellow Oklahomans.”
This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019, which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act.