Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming a $1 million economic development grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce and its Economic Development Administration (EDA) for American Samoa to support the Territory’s economic development planning, and congratulating Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga upon this successful grant process.

Congress authorized this funding through the American Rescue Plan Act earlier this year, and it is distributed through EDA’s Statewide Planning, Research and Networks program. This grant for American Samoa is one of just 30 such grants nationwide, announced Thursday, each $1 million.

The federal funding is to assist communities’ economic efforts, recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, and building resilient local economies. Projects vary by local needs, but among the projects developed nationwide, efforts can cover a wide range of issues, such as workforce training, infrastructure, business recruitment, capital access, and more.

“I appreciate the great work locally by Governor Lemanu and his team at American Samoa Government to qualify for this effort,” said Congresswoman Amata. “These funds help governments plan and make use of the federal funding stream in several COVID-related infrastructure and economic bills that Congress has either already passed or is considering. Thank you to Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandro Castillo for including American Samoa.”