FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 2, 2005
Contact:  Adrienne Elrod
(202) 225-3772
 

Ross Applauds $1.4 Million Economic Development Grant Awarded to 
Magnolia Area 
Grant Awarded by EDA Region Six Administrator Who Toured Magnolia Facilities with Ross Last January
 
(Washington, D.C.) Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark) Tuesday congratulated the Magnolia Training Center and the Southwest Planning and Development District Office for being awarded a $1.4 million grant by the Economic Development Administration. The grant was awarded following an economic development tour Ross organized for Region Six Administrator Pedro Garza and Magnolia area leaders in January of 2004.  

“I am very pleased that the Economic Development Administration has awarded the Magnolia Training Center and the Southwest Planning and Development District Office $1.4 million – a grant that is incredibly needed and that will be a huge boon to the Magnolia-area region,” said Ross. “The funding will be used to construct the training center and to expand the functional role of the planning and development district offices.  

“When I was elected to serve the citizens of Arkansas's Fourth District, I promised I would be a ‘hands-on’ Congressman and an economic ambassador for our district.  I continued my pledge last January, when I brought Region Six EDA Administrator Pedro Garza to Magnolia so that he could visit with area leadership and view the Magnolia Industrial Park first-hand. Clearly, he was impressed! And he should be – the Magnolia Training Center will play an integral role with the Southwest Planning and Development District Office to expand the economic development potential of the greater Magnolia region. Together, they will work with industries to effectively identify ways to improve and enhance the area labor force, which will ultimately attract new industries and bring new jobs to the area.” 

Ross also recognized the hard work of Magnolia Mayor Lane Jean, Economic Developer for Magnolia and Columbia County Mike Juniker, and Terry Sherwood, who is the Executive Director of the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, for their hard work and leadership on such a needed economic development project.  

“The hard work of the Mayor, Mike, Terry, and the rest of the Magnolia-area leadership made the possibility of this grant a reality,” said Ross.   

“Congressman Ross’s initiative and his commitment to the economic development of this region was a huge factor in us receiving this grant, and I am incredibly grateful for all of his support and his efforts,” said Sherwood. “He went out of his way to convince Mr. Garza to travel to Magnolia to get a first-hand look at the needs of our region, which definitely increased our chances for receiving this funding. The Economic Development Administration’s grant is an excellent investment for our area, and I know I can speak on behalf of the Magnolia community for thanking Congressman Ross for all he has done.” 

Last January, Ross and Garza visited projects that had been funded or had applied for EDA funding in Hot Springs, Texarkana, Warren, Arkadelphia, Magnolia and Pine Bluff. The Economic Development Administration is divided into six regions across the country. Mr. Garza’s jurisdiction includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. 


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