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Recently, Dennis Alvord, EDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development and Chief Operating Officer, was elected to serve as Chair of the Regional Development Policy Committee (RDPC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In this role, DAS Alvord will chair RDPC meetings beginning with the next meeting in April 2023. His service as Chair will provide an important opportunity to help shape the priorities of the RDPC in terms of their cutting-edge research and policy analysis for policymakers and practitioners across the 38-member-country committee. RDPC’s research and analysis provide EDA and U.S. economic development practitioners with international best practices and policies in 21st century regional economic development.

Beginning today and continuing through the end of February, EDA joins other Department of Commerce bureaus in celebrating Black History Month!

This month, the delegations from all 32 grantees of EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge gathered in Washington, D.C. to focus on collaboration and developing strong workforce systems in their regions. Highlighted by remarks from three Cabinet members and a Fortune 500 CEO, the 2022 Good Jobs Challenge Convening provided grantees with access to experts in the workforce field and opportunities to build connections with each other. The convening was hosted by Jobs for the Future (JFF), which is leading the Good Jobs Challenge Community of Practice (CoP). 

Tom Baron is an Economic Development Representative (EDR) with EDA’s Chicago Regional Office. He works with applicants who represent Wisconsin and the 11 federally recognized Tribes that call the Badger State their home. One of his responsibilities is to increase Tribal awareness of funding opportunities available through EDA and its federal, state, and non-profit partners.

This November, the White House, the Department of Commerce and EDA hosted a series of events in honor of Native-American Heritage Month, welcoming Tribal leaders to Washington, DC. President Joe Biden kicked off the celebration, issuing a proclamation upholding America’s commitment to our Tribal nations, just one month after announcing a new Tribal Advisor position in the Office of Management and Budget.

Ecuador hosted the 15th America’s Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) from November 13-17, convening leaders from more than 20 countries and a diverse array of international organizations.

More than 20 years ago, Harlan Majors, the mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi, observed that “our best industry by far is the Choctaw Nation. They employ not only their own people but ours, too. It has never been as good as it is now ... Our economy depends on them.”

Through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARPA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) distributed $750 million to 185 grantees in regions hard hit by declines to the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries. Awards are currently funding a variety of initiatives designed to accelerate the recovery of visitor-based local economies with projects that include development of new park space, construction of bike trails, enhancement of cultural tourism amenities, and improvements to historic neighborhoods.