In a news release posted on his Instagram account, Mayor Phillip Jones announced that the City of Newport News received a $640,994 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This grant will aid in the development of a seafood market and dock improvements. It will also help with dredging design for the Seafood Industrial Park (SIP), which is city-owned and the basis for many “water-dependent companies.” $200,000 in local funds will also be contributed towards these projects.

Included in the news release was a statement from Alejandra Y. Castillo, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. Castillo stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to creating new opportunities for businesses and workers in communities across the country.”

Castillo continued, “This EDA investment will provide for improvements that will make the Newport News Seafood Industrial Park more easily accessible, creating business opportunities, and supporting food-based entrepreneurship in this historically underserved community.”

Jones said in the news release, “We are grateful that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration is investing in this important part of Newport News and supporting our thriving seafood industry.”

Jones said, “Seafood Industrial Park is prime waterfront property that comprises 39 acres in the Southeast Community of Newport News, including navigable water. This grant contributes greatly.”

Jones also took a trip to visit the White House recently. In an Instagram post on his account, Jones expressed his gratitude for the Biden-Harris Administration and listed some of the issues that he brought to Biden and cabinet members: “reconnecting communities grant,” “regional airport support,” “broadband infrastructure for economic development and bridging the digital divide” and “addressing historical challenges and inequities: concentration of public and assisted housing.”