Indiana Leaders Announce Federal Grant Supporting Indianapolis Economic Initiatives
Three-year grant will help those impacted by the closure of Carrier
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07), Ranking Member of the House Economic Development Subcommittee, Senator Joe Donnelly and Mayor Joe Hogsett, joined the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Agency (EDA) in announcing a generous grant to Indianapolis. This $355,000 grant will be used to better support the city’s regional economic initiatives and fully develop the opportunities available through Indy’s federal ‘Promise Zone’ designation.
The three-year grant will help support the hiring of a Recovery Coordinator/ Promise Zone Liaison for the City of Indianapolis. This person will be charged with helping to mitigate the hardships of unemployment and determine alternative employment opportunities for Hoosiers, especially those impacted by the closure of the Carrier facility.
“I met several times with the EDA Director for updates on their projects and to urge more resources for our city.” said Congressman André Carson. “I look forward to continuing to work with the EDA and the City of Indianapolis to strengthen our region.”
"This federal grant will help hard-working Hoosiers find new employment opportunities, including those workers harmed by Carrier’s decision to ship Hoosier jobs to Mexico," said Senator Donnelly, who wrote a letter supporting the ciity's grant application. "I was proud to support this effort to bring important, much-needed resources to Hoosier workers and attract new businesses to Indianapolis, helping local families and our community."
“Since Carrier announced the closure of their Indianapolis facility, the City’s Carrier Task Force has worked tirelessly to convene resources and identify opportunities to aid the thousands of hard working families affected by this decision,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “Today’s award by the EDA will provide invaluable opportunities for the community, helping to attract and grow manufacturing operations and putting affected employees back to work. I want to thank Senator Donnelly and Congressman André Carson for their leadership on the Carrier Task Force and commend our Indianapolis City-County Council which allocated the local match from the $1.2 million fund of recouped incentives, designated for the aid of Carrier workers.”