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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today announced the Downriver Riverfront Communities Economic Recovery Implementation Project will receive $1.6 million in grant funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Grant funding was provided as part of the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment. 

“Climate change is real, and we are seeing the effects all around us,” said Dingell. “As we combat the climate crisis and transition to a clean energy economy, we can’t leave behind communities that have long depended on coal for jobs and economic development. This important funding will help the Downriver Community Conference ensure coal plants are safely cleaned up to protect our environment and public health, while taking steps to diversify the local economy and create jobs.”

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of its $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. 

Specifically, EDA will dedicate $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities.