FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 4, 2013
Contact: Jeff Muir, Blount Partnership Communications Director
Office: 865.983.2241; Cell: 865.323.6522
Email: jmuir@blountpartnership.com
Blount Partnership Receives $1.4M Grant from U.S. Economic Development Administration
Money defrays road construction costs for ProNova Solutions at Pellissippi Place
Maryville, Tenn. – The Blount Partnership, which includes the Industrial Development Board of Blount County, received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help defray road construction costs in Pellissippi Place as ProNova Solutions begins building the first phase of its proton therapy facility.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Matt Erskine made the announcement as elected officials from Blount and Knox counties looked on.
“Today I bring good news that will help further cement this region’s reputation as a premier place to live, work and do business. I’m pleased to officially announce that the U.S. Economic Development Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce is awarding a $1.4 million grant to the Industrial Development Board of Blount County to extend a critical roadway in the Pellissippi Place industrial park,” said Erskine. “These critical infrastructure improvements will support ProNova Solutions advanced manufacturing facility. This investment builds upon the more than $44 million that EDA has invested across Tennessee since 2009 to create more than 12,400 jobs and spur almost a billion dollars in private investment.”
Erskine also noted that, “This is truly a co-investment by EDA. One and a half million dollars in financing will be provided locally to meet the total project cost of almost $3 million. EDA’s grants are competitive, merit based and also require that local by-in for the match. This project is no exception.”
Construction of the road extension is projected to begin in Feb. 2014.
“We’ve been very grateful for the support of agencies like EDA,” said Earl Gohl, Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair. “We’ve been able to bring together 10 federal agencies through a cooperative agreement to work to make sure there are greater investments like this in Appalachia.”
“This is an investment in America’s infrastructure. It’s so important because it’s this type of critical investment that makes other things happen. That’s what strengthens communities and creates opportunities. It’s how we grow and succeed.”
“We are extremely grateful for the commitment made by EDA to Pellissippi Place and supporting us,” said Joe Matteo, President of R&D and Manufacturing ProNova.
“With a half billion dollars of investment and 2,500 jobs over the past couple of years, it really speaks to the cooperative efforts we’ve have among all the mayors, city managers and county commissioners,” said Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell. “They are all working together for this area and region. That’s what makes this happen.”
“The good news today continues for ProNova and our entire region,” said Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. “We appreciate the support of the Economic Development Administration and its investment in this community.”
“Thank you to ProNova and EDA because this is the kind of partnership we enjoy having,” said Maryville mayor Tom Taylor.
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