RNTA Current Projects

The following list includes current RNTA projects. For completed research and tools, please reference the EDA Research Reports and the Tools for Economic Development. To learn more about these RNTA projects, please contact [email protected].

Research and Evaluation Projects

1. Developing A University Center Cohort

   Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and University Economic Development Association
   The Developing a University Cohort project aims to create a supportive network of EDA-funded University Centers (UCs). This initiative connects UCs with the broader economic development ecosystems, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. The project identifies key challenges and opportunities facing UCs while promoting innovative solutions and successful approaches. For more details, visit the UEDA's University Center Cohort and explore additional current University Center grantee resources. 

2. National Economic Research and Resilience Center (NERRC)

   Argonne National Laboratory
   The National Economic Research and Resilience Center (NERRC) provides innovative and transparent economic data access, research, and analysis to support and strengthen economic development and resilience in communities across the nation. The National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) and the Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI) are key economic development tools developed by NERRC to support economic development and resilience efforts. Click on the links below to learn more about these tools. For other resources, including research briefs, visit NERRC.

   Tools

   • National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE)
   • Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI)
   • Recompete Eligibility Tool

3. Understanding Impact: EDA Evaluation

   Urban Institute
   This project is conducting a program evaluation of infrastructure and non-infrastructure EDA grants from 2010 – 2019. Using the knowledge from this evaluation, Urban Institute will produce a series of policy briefs highlighting important findings and develop an immersive narrative microsite that supports EDA’s mission. To read the published briefs, please visit their website and the EDA At Work page.

4. Updating Industrial Clusters

   Purdue Center for Regional Development
   The Updating Industrial Clusters Project aims to modernize industry cluster definitions by leveraging quantitative and qualitative analysis, including network clustering techniques, spatial analysis, and expert interviews, to refine existing classifications and identify emerging clusters in the 21st-century economy. The project will culminate in a website housing a technical report, interactive data dashboards, and a mapping tool, for long-term accessibility and annual updates.

   For more information, please view the award announcement.

   Research Reports

   • Economic Competitiveness: A Literature Review of Industry, Occupation and Skill Clusters, and Related Topics
   • Industry and Occupation Clusters: A Synthesis of Experts' Interviews
   • Occupations by Skills Clusters for U.S.: Methodological Framework and Experiments
   • An Application of Spatial Machine Learning Methods in Industry Clusters Analysis

National Technical Assistance Projects

1. University Center Hub

   Civic Roundtable
   To better address the growing needs of the EDA University Center portfolio, an award has been made to Civic Roundtable to create the UC Hub, an innovative project designed to maximize the impact of the UC program.

   The UC Hub will provide a digital platform for connectivity and cooperation between University Centers and regional stakeholders, allowing these economic development leaders to share and access resources such as whitepapers and datasets, interact with each other through a facilitated discussion forum, and identify opportunities for collaboration. Built on the Civic Roundtable platform, the UC Hub will provide a centralized location for participant interaction.

   For more information, please view the award announcement.

2. RLF Lending Leaders – Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurial Lending in Indigenous Communities

   Recast City and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)
   This award will develop and manage a first-of-its-kind cohort training program for Indigenous-led and Indigenous-serving RLFs. Training will focus on topics such as social impact-based underwriting criteria, targeted program marketing, and other policies and procedures that will enhance their ability to serve Indigenous enterprises.

   For more information, please view the award announcement .