WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Commerce announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is providing a $1.5 million grant to Eden, NC, to renovate a sewer treatment facility. The grant will provide water service to a large pet food manufacturer, believed to be Nestlé Purina PetCare, to help expand its operations.

US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the grant on Jan. 17.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” Raimondo said. “This EDA infrastructure investment will support business expansion in Eden, creating jobs and providing economic resilience.”

The grant may support Purina’s manufacturing facility in Eden, which was originally announced in 2020 and began operations in 2022. The company invested $450 million in the facility, which spans 1.3 million square feet.

“The Economic Development Administration supports locally driven efforts to spur economic growth and prosperity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will bolster the diversification of Eden’s economy by expanding the city’s industrial capacity, leading to new, good-paying jobs.”

The EDA grant will be matched with $7.6 million in local funds and is expected to allow other businesses to grow in the region. The grant is also expected to help create 180 new jobs and generate $270 million in private investments.

“Access to clean water is a necessity for families and businesses to thrive,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We will continue working with the federal government to strengthen infrastructure in communities like Eden for years to come.”

Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC), which is funded by EDA, led the planning efforts of the grant.

“I’m pleased that this federal grant will help Eden expand business growth, create jobs and attract private investment,” said Congresswoman Kathy Manning. “As Triad communities continue working to revitalize and attract new business, I’ll continue fighting for federal funding that bolsters economic development.”

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