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The Appalachian Climate Technologies Coalition (ACT Now Coalition) is a prime example of how regional collaboration and locally-driven economic development efforts are key components of sustainable, regional economic growth. Selected as one of twenty-one Phase 2 finalists for the American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC), the ACT Now Coalition is dramatically expanding on more than a decade of momentum.

This month EDA “hit the road” to discuss our programs, including two of our newest initiatives to create jobs and grow regional economies. Throughout America we are convening government officials and subject matter experts in economic and workforce development, community engagement, place-based programming, innovation, and other sectors, to share insights and suggestions to strengthen the scope of our programming and ensure we achieve the maximum impact.

On the first anniversary of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), President Biden noted that, “Few pieces of legislation – no hyperbole – in American history have done more to lift this country out of a crisis…”. A year later, the sentiment not only continues to ring true, but has even more evidence to prove it.

In 2022, the Economic Development Administration (EDA), working with leading economic development organizations, established a robust networking, technical assistance, and research program to guide innovation in place-based economic development. Using the work of the 60 coalitions selected to participate in EDA’s historic $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge as a living laboratory, the Building Better Regions Community of Practice – as well as three separate research projects – is now well underway.

Through the end of March, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) joins other Department of Commerce bureaus observing Women’s History Month.

In January 2023, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) reached a historic milestone with three additional regional organizations designated as Economic Development Districts (EDD). With these additions, there are now 400 such organizations across the country, leading locally-driven economic development planning, technical assistance, strategies and coordination.

Lakota Funds is a community development financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to creating economic development opportunities on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It works to increase the number of businesses on Tribal lands and create self-sufficiency for its citizens.

In 2022, Ernest Weston, Jr. joined EDA as the first Tribal Economic Development Representative. Working out of the Denver Regional Office, he soon began looking for unique ways to engage local Tribal stakeholders. In doing so, Weston recognized the need to create community in the meaningful work of Tribal Economic Development.