City of Oxford lands $1.5M U.S. Department of Commerce infrastructure grant

The U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday announced that the City of Oxford had received a $1.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant for infrastructure enhancement.

Made possible by dollars authorized in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the project will fund resurfacing of the Bynum Cutoff Road and drainage improvements, according to the department.

EDA’s investment, which will be matched with $506,849 in local funds, is anticipated to generate $10 million in private investment.

According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to allow for the retainment of 635 jobs and create an additional 35 jobs.

In a statement announcing the grant award, Commerce secretary Gina Raimondo said that the funds would serve to spur job growth and economic development.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future,” stated Raimondo in a release. “This EDA investment will provide for necessary infrastructure upgrades needed to support job creation and business development.”

Alejandra Castillo, assistant secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, touched on EDA’s mission to support “community-led economic development” initiatives.

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Castillo. “This project will provide critical infrastructure upgrades and enhance economic resilience in Alabama.”

The department advised that regional planning efforts led by the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (EARPDC) helped facilitate the project.

Funded by EDA, the commission partners with public and private sector stakeholders to formulate economic development strategies to promote capital investment and job creation.