The Downriver Community Conference in Southgate, Michigan (population 29,000) was awarded $1.6 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through the Coal Communities Commitment.

The award will support the Conference in overseeing ” a community-inclusive strategic planning process to redevelop two coal plant sites and establish a new small business technical assistance program to help diversify the local economy,” according to an EDA press release.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo applauded the locally-driven nature of the project, and highlighted that it will support regional resiliency.

Read more