Taylor Receives ESP Funding

The Arizona Departments of Commerce & Transportation have approved a new Economic Strength Project (ESP) in Taylor. This joint program provides grants for road projects that result in economic development & meet 3 primary goals: create or retain a significant number of jobs in Arizona; lead to significant capital investment in Arizona; & make a significant contribution to the economy of Arizona.

The Town of Taylor has been awarded a $170,682 grant to make improvements to State Highway 77. This project will facilitate the operations of Wal-Mart with the development of its proposed retail center. The total capital invested in the Wal-Mart facility is $11 million, & 128 jobs will be created.

Arizona Dept. of Commerce Director Gilbert Jimenez offered congratulations to the community. "Our partnership with the Dept. of Transportation & the community is critical. Applicant communities must provide matching funds of at least 10% of the project total," Jimenez said. "Investing in the development of our communities is part of the Governor's strategy to improve the quality of life & economic growth of Arizona."

Applications for this very competitive grant program may be submitted to the Arizona Dept. of Commerce by towns, cities or counties. Economic development organizations may apply if the project is co-sponsored by the local jurisdiction. Application announcements are made twice each year, in January & July. The State Transportation Board is the final approval entity for the ESP program, which has a continuous funding source of up to $500,000 in each round. Requests for proposals will be distributed the end of July for the next funding round.

For more information on ESP, please visit www.azcommerce.com.