Roanoke, VA – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded the City of Roanoke a grant in the amount of $1,514,280 to be used to extend Blue Hills Drive from its present terminus to the location of the planned Deschutes Brewery in the Roanoke Centre for Industry and Technology. The total estimated cost of the roadway extension is $3,028,560, which includes the road, curb and gutter, associated drainage, street lights, water and sewer extensions, sidewalks on one side, and landscaping. The EDA grant will fund one-half of the costs. The city also plans to seek a grant of $650,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation Economic Development Access Fund for this project. The remaining project costs will be paid from city funds.
Deschutes plans to start construction of its East Coast brewery in early 2019. Work on the roadway extension will commence next year in order to be completed before brewery construction begins. Deschutes expects to invest $95,000,000 in building, machinery, and other costs. Initially 108 employees will be hired, with the number increasing to 154 with a future planned expansion of the brewery. The roadway extension will also provide better access to the Heritage Point farm site owned by the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op.
The mission of the Economic Development Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, 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.
“The city is pleased to obtain this grant to enable us to construct this important roadway link to the Deschutes site in a timely manner,” said City Manager Chris Morrill. “I want to express my appreciation to the EDA Office in Philadelphia who worked closely to make this funding possible and to Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Congressman Bob Goodlatte who expressed support for our application.”
For further information please contact Wayne Bowers, Director of Economic Development, [email protected], 540-853-5831.
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