IDAHO FALLS, ID – The U.S. Department of Energy today gave a $250,000 grant to the Idaho Regional Development Alliance (RDA) to support the organization’s business development efforts in eastern Idaho. These funds will support the Regional Marketing Plan which promotes the Idaho National Laboratory as a resource to both in-state and out-of-state corporations.

“The Regional Development Alliance has helped the people of Idaho take greater advantage of the economic development potential of hosting one of the department’s largest national laboratories,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy Kyle McSlarrow.  "We are pleased to provide resources to this organization that will help Idaho create more jobs and new businesses as we turn the site’s mission toward advanced research and development."

Deputy Secretary McSlarrow was joined by Idaho Senators Larry Craig and Mike Crapo and Idaho Representative Mike Simpson at today’s event. Last January, the Idaho Regional Development Alliance was designated as the Department of Energy’s Community Reuse Organization (CRO) responsible for stimulating economic development activities in the area.

The grant will be used for administrative expenses of the CRO and to support the organization’s Business Development Program, which creates new business linkages for existing eastern Idaho companies. The grant will also provide funding for the Entrepreneurial Development Program, a program designed to assist technology entrepreneurs and companies directly in expanding jobs in both the Eastern Idaho Technology Corridor and other locations within RDA’s service area.

RDA provides financial assistance for business expansion, new business creation, relocation for out-of-state businesses, and development of infrastructure necessary to support business. The Department of Energy and RDA have created and retained more than 4,080 jobs.

Media contact:  Jacqueline Johnson, 202/586-5806

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Release No. R-04-335