Skip to main content
Friday, November 6, 2026Nov 6
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Tennessee among 12 communities slated to get extra funds to help spur industry

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker speaks to U.S. and Japanese executives at an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan. Pritzker has urged Japan to be bolder in opening its markets to help reach a deal on a pan-Pacific trade agreement. Pritzker, who is leading the Commerce Department’s first trade mission to Japan in two decades, said U.S. and Japanese negotiators were closing the gap on trade in farm products and vehicles but that there were still “tough issues” to work on. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker speaks to U.S. and Japanese executives at an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan. Pritzker has urged Japan to be bolder in opening its markets to help reach a deal on a pan-Pacific trade agreement. Pritzker, who is leading the Commerce Department’s first trade mission to Japan in two decades, said U.S. and Japanese negotiators were closing the gap on trade in farm products and vehicles but that there were still “tough issues” to work on. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker speaks to U.S. and Japanese executives at an American Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, in Tokyo, Japan. Pritzker has urged Japan to be bolder in opening its markets to help reach a deal on a pan-Pacific trade agreement. Pritzker, who is leading the Commerce Department’s first trade mission to Japan in two decades, said U.S. and Japanese negotiators were closing the gap on trade in farm products and vehicles but that there were still “tough issues” to work on. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

By Associated Press 1 min read

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker says 12 communities across the U.S. will receive special attention and access for federal funding to help attract manufacturing companies and create jobs.

Pritzker made the announcement Wednesday at Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The selected communities are in California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Each received designations under the Obama administration’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative. Pritzker says the designations help potential investors know that the communities are good places to spend their money.

Each community will receive support from 11 federal agencies with more than $1 billion available in federal economic development assistance.

Wednesdays’ announcement marks the second round of designated areas. The first 12 communities were announced in May 2014.