Aiken, S.C. -- U.S. Representative J. Gresham Barrett and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson today presented a $280,000 Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment to the Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties, Inc. and the South Carolina Department of Commerce.  The investment will help develop a textile recovery and diversification strategy for ten South Carolina counties in the Savannah River Basin region.
 
“President Bush believes one way to create jobs is to grow the economy by encouraging investments in local communities,” said Sampson.  “This EDA investment will support the region’s efforts to overcome the impact of textile related job losses and will provide a resource to promote economic development opportunities for local citizens.”

“This EDA investment comes at a critical time for the Third District,” said Rep. Barrett (SC, 3).  “While we continue to support our textile industry, we must also look for ways to diversify our economy.  This investment will help our local communities clearly identify the expertise and resources available throughout the Third District so we can move toward new innovation and job creation.”

The Third District of South Carolina is comprised of ten counties: Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Saluda.  All ten counties will benefit from this EDA investment.

EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States.  EDA’s mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, 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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