Sikeston awarded $2 million grant

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced on Thursday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration, or EDA, is awarding a $2 million grant to the city of Sikeston, Missouri, to support development of the South Industrial Park.

This EDA project, to be matched with $657,000 in other federal funds and $236,700 in local funds, is expected to create 100 jobs and generate nearly $30 million in private investment.

“President Joe Biden is committed to helping our communities advance their plans to create economic opportunity for their citizens,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Sikeston will help to establish an industrial park that will attract manufacturing and other businesses to the region.”

Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, said the Economic Development Administration is pleased to support Sikeston as they seek to grow and diversify the region’s economy. This EDA investment will provide the critical infrastructure needed to develop phase one of the new industrial park, he said.

“This grant announcement is great news for Sikeston and is sure to spur economic growth in the entire Bootheel region,” said Gov. Mike Parson. “Missouri is a national leader when it comes to business investment and new manufacturing facilities coming to our state. This grant will assist the Sikeston community in capitalizing on our business-friendly economy and attracting more business investment and good-paying jobs to the Southeast region.”

Sen. Roy Blunt also said this announcement is great news for jobs and the local economy. The investment will help Sikeston get the resources it needs to establish critical infrastructure at the industrial park, which will support good-paying jobs and spur growth throughout the region.

“This project has been a top priority for boosting economic development in the area, and I’m glad it’s one step closer to completion,” Blunt said.

Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) said he was proud to support the City of Sikeston’s plan to bring jobs and prosperity to the Bootheel.

“I congratulate Mayor Greg Turnbow and the city’s economic development leaders for helping to make this vision a reality,” Smith said.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. EDA funds the Bootheel Planning and Economic Development Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.