U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $4.1 Million Grant for Makah Tribe Infrastructure
WASHINGTON – The Makah Indian Tribe residing on the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington, is set to receive a significant boost in infrastructure development through a $4.1 million grant. This funding, announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, is aimed at enhancing wastewater infrastructure to foster job creation.
The grant will facilitate the establishment of a new climate-resilient wastewater collection system, which aims to diminish the economic repercussions of potential natural disasters. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) projects that this investment will either generate or preserve over 70 jobs.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda is providing critical infrastructure upgrades to ensure that local communities in Washington state can create good-paying jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help get the Makah Tribe the resources needed to make sure their community is resilient in the face of future natural disasters.”
Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth emphasized the EDA’s commitment to local communities, stating, “The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic growth. This project will provide critical infrastructure improvements to help diversify the regional economy and create jobs.”
Senator Patty Murray expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting, “This award is exciting news for the Makah Tribe—as frontline communities in Washington state increasingly face extreme weather events, these water infrastructure improvements will help the Makah Tribe better respond to future natural disasters, while creating dozens of local jobs.”
Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-6) also highlighted the benefits of this federal funding, saying, “I’m thrilled to see this new federal funding heading to the Makah Indian Nation to support their efforts to construct a climate-resilient wastewater collection network. This project will create jobs – and help make critical infrastructure upgrades in Neah Bay.”
The funding for this initiative comes from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023. This act provided the EDA with $483 million in supplementary Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds dedicated to disaster relief and recovery for regions designated as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Act due to events such as Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters in 2021 and 2022. Further information is available on the EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage.
