U.S. Department of Commerce Hosts Economic Development Roundtable in Columbia Highlighting Disaster Funding Opportunities

COLUMBIA, SC - Today, Rob McLeod, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Ben Page, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Operating Officer at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), hosted a roundtable discussion with local officials and economic leaders in Columbia to discuss initiatives driving local economic development following natural disasters.

This event highlighted EDA's Disaster Supplemental funding program, which is making $1.5 billion available to areas where major disaster declarations were issued because of hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and other natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The roundtable emphasized areas within South Carolina that were impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

"President Trump and Secretary Lutnick are committed to helping communities impacted by natural disasters, supporting long-term economic planning and vital project development," said Rob McLeod, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. "The Disaster Supplemental funding program reflects that mission, putting the needs of local American economies first, empowering South Carolina communities to rebuild stronger, protect local jobs, and advance the local economic visions they've set for their future."

EDA will host a similar session in Tallahassee, Florida later this week. Additional sessions will be conducted throughout the Southeast early next year. For more information, please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpage.

About the Economic Development Administration:
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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. To learn more about EDA, visit www.eda.gov.