Washington, D.C. – September 3, 2020, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) announces an Economic Development Investment Award, totaling more than $400,000 to the South East Texas Economic Development District, Inc., of Beaumont, Texas, to help them respond to the unusual and compelling urgency of the coronavirus pandemic.

The CARES Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020, provides Economic Development Administration (EDA) with $1.5 billion for economic development assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

“Our Jefferson County residents have seen far too much devastation,” noted Weber.  Just as we were beginning to see recovery progress from Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda, we were hit with coronavirus.  With many of our residents and businesses still struggling, this much needed grant is a step in the right direction to redevelop, revitalize, and strengthen their economy.”

The award requires South East Texas Economic Development District, to “undertake one or more of the following pre-approved activities: (1) the development of an economic recovery and resilience plan, tied to the applicant’s approved Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, to address the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, (2) the deployment of disaster recovery coordinators to orchestrate the region’s response to the pandemic, (3) the provision of technical assistance, as necessary, to local governments, businesses, and other stakeholder organizations, and (4) the funding of appropriate technology and staff support for these pandemic-response activities.”