THIS EDA PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES AWARD TO THE CITY OF LAPORTE WILL HELP THE CITY UNDERTAKE THE BOYD BOULEVARD STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WHICH WILL MODERNIZE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT BUSINESS EXPANSION. CHRONICALLY-LOW PER CAPITA INCOME IN THE REGION IS THE RESULT OF ONGOING LOSSES IN MANUFACTURING JOBS AND RELATED FACTORS. LOCAL LEADERS RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO SUPPORT NEW BUSINESS EXPANSION AND GROWTH THROUGH UPGRADED AND RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE. THE EDA-FUNDED INFRASTRUCTURE WILL INCLUDE NEW STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE SERVING THE THOMAS ROSE INDUSTRIAL PARK AND ITS CRITICAL EMPLOYER BASE. THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 185 NEW JOBS AND GENERATE $50 MILLION IN NEW PRIVATE INVESTMENT.