Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $2.8 million grant to Paulsboro, New Jersey, to expand the Paulsboro Water Treatment Plant in support of business development a job growth in South Jersey’s offshore wind industry.

This project will provide the wastewater infrastructure capacity needed to bring new businesses and jobs to the community, including those in support of clean energy development. The EDA investment will be matched with $2.8 million in local funds and is expected to create 500 jobs, retain 100 jobs, and generate $250 million in private investment.

“The offshore wind industry in South Jersey means good-paying, clean energy jobs for local workers. To accommodate economic growth, we need to invest in the infrastructure that will support a growing industrial base right here in Paulsboro,” said Congressman Norcross. “I’m excited to see federal agencies like the EDA supporting local projects to accelerate our transition to clean energy and create jobs.”

“President Biden and this administration applaud community-led efforts to create a clean energy future for the country while growing the regional economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the wastewater treatment capacity necessary for the development of a new manufacturing facility for offshore wind turbine components.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in helping communities implement their plans to provide the vital infrastructure that businesses need to be successful,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will help create a more resilient local economy while also helping meet the Biden Administration’s commitment to a clean energy future.”

Congressman Norcross is a major champion for developing the offshore wind energy industry in South Jersey, which will create good-paying jobs locally and help the American energy system transition toward renewables and away from dirty fossil fuels. He was joined by Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh and Governor Phil Murphy at the Paulsboro Wind Port groundbreaking in September 2021 and has supported numerous local wind power job training programs, including the recent delivery of $500,000 in federal funding for a wind power workforce development program at Rowan University.

Congressman Norcross is a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, the Science, Space and Technology Committee, and the Armed Services Committee. Before serving in the House of Representatives, he completed a registered apprenticeship and worked as a union electrician in New Jersey as a member of IBEW Local 351.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.