Categorized | Business

Schatz, Hirono announce $5M for economic development

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) announced more than $5 million in federal investments from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help spur growth in Hawaii’s agriculture, clean technology, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.

“Investments in Hawaii’s diverse industries are key to growing our local economy,” Schatz said. “These federal funds will help Hawaii continue to lead the way in developing vital sectors of our national economy like agriculture and clean technology, encouraging local entrepreneurship and creating new jobs.”

“These awards are an important contribution to Hawaii’s ongoing efforts to diversify our economy,” Hirono said. “Supporting entrepreneurs in the agriculture, clean tech, and health care sectors will help to create new businesses, good paying jobs, and a more sustainable Hawaii. The more we’re able to diversify Hawaii’s economy by making these kinds of investments in facilities and other types of infrastructure, the more we’ll see our economy grow.”

The three grants include:

* $3 million investment for the High Technology Development Corporation to build an Entrepreneur’s Sandbox at the Collaboration Center in Honolulu. The facility will provide assistance to local entrepreneurs with particular emphasis on growing new companies in the healthcare and clean tech industries.

* $2,178,250 for the Kohala Center to support the design and construction of an agricultural business accelerator for small farmers and agricultural marketers in Waimea. The accelerator will provide assistance with self-sustaining value-added food and fiber production leading to food self-reliance and sustainability.

* $72,000 for the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to support the Manufacturing in Hawaii Initiative. This initiative will identify industry obstacles to advance manufacturing and provide resources to connect local manufacturers with local suppliers.

Gabbard Announces $2.1 Million Investment in Agricultural Business Accelerator for Kamuela Farmers

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) has announced the U.S. Economic Development Administration will invest $2,178,250 to support the design and construction of an agricultural business accelerator for small farmers and agricultural markets in Waimea.

The project is expected to save 39 current jobs, create 28 new jobs, and generate greater food self-reliance and sustainability.

“Earlier this month, I visited Kamuela and met with farmers who were passionate about increasing local food production, reducing dependence on imports, and strengthening the overall sustainability of Hawaii Island,” Gabbard said. “This important investment will boost the efforts of local farmers and businesses by providing assistance with self-sustaining value-added food and fiber production. Supporting the agricultural business accelerator is a smart move and a ‘win-win’ across the board for our local economy, the jobs market, farmers, consumers, and sustainability efforts across the state.”

The investment funding will be managed through The Kohala Center, an independent, community-based center for research, conservation, and education that works to turn research and traditional knowledge into action so that communities in Hawaii and around the world can thrive—ecologically, economically, culturally, and socially.

The organization’s main areas of interest are energy self-reliance, food self-reliance, and ecosystem health.

One Response to “Schatz, Hirono announce $5M for economic development”

  1. jackson says:

    It is inappropriate for these legislators to push organic food on Hawaii’s middle class and poor who are suffering because of the economy and the widening disparity between the rich and everybody else. They shouldn’t expect our vote when they are acting against our interests to support te ultra liberals.

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