Odessa to receive $1.3 million grant

ODESSA — The town has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to make critical water infrastructure improvements.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the agency’s Economic Development Administration grant last week. The funds will be used in an “opportunity zone” with a $326,401 local match.

“The Trump Administration is committed to helping American communities obtain the modern infrastructure they need to encourage business growth in Opportunity Zones,” Ross said. “This project will provide Odessa with the water infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of the community.”

“Odessa was impacted by severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides in 2017,” agency spokeswoman Dana Gartzkesaid. “This project will help the town become more resilient in the face of future natural disasters.

“And its location in an opportunity zone will help drive business development.”

According to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, those zones spur development and investment.

There are 139 such zones in the state.

“This $1.3 million grant will help meet an urgent water infrastructure need in Lincoln County”she said. “I applaud the city of Odessa for leading on this grant and rallying community support for the project...”