Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers congratulated the Auburn University community today for receiving a $100,000 grant to support one of the University’s economic development programs. Known as the University Center program, the initiative ultimately helps increase job retention and creation by providing small businesses valuable managerial consulting services.

“East Alabama’s small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,” Rogers said. “Hopefully these federal investments will help strengthen this important Auburn initiative, and ensure more of our entrepreneurs will have these types of resources available to help them succeed in our rapidly changing economy.”

Rogers said the grant allows University Center to focus its efforts on business and industrial development activities as well as community development initiatives. Third District nonprofit organizations also work in conjunction with the Center to provide these services.

“Auburn has long been known nationally as a center for research and academic excellence,” Rogers added. “These types of initiatives are critically important for helping support the greater University community, and for bolstering its partnerships with the private sector throughout East Alabama.”

The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, which serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States.