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The United States economy is built on innovation, a fact affirmed in 2009 with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which set out to provide “investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances.” The 2021 American Rescue Plan Act further committed the United States to the development of an economy primed to lead in the global marketplace through the creation of new industries and the application of cutting-edge technology in traditional enterprises.

Since designating the first Economic Development District (EDD) in 1969, the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) network of EDDs has grown to more than 390. These locally governed, multi-jurisdictional entities are both critical drivers of regional planning efforts, and important interlocutors between the federal government and local communities.

In March of 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. This historic legislation was designed to enable American communities to respond to and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. In the American Rescue Plan, Congress allocated an unprecedented $3 billion to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in supplemental one-time funding and required EDA to disburse all awards by September 30, 2022, in order to meet the urgent needs of American communities. This notable economic development opportunity required EDA, its partners, and most importantly, leaders across the entire economic development community, to take transformational and expeditious action.

A new resource will help economic development and hazard mitigation planners achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Hazard Mitigation Plan Alignment Guide connects economic development and hazard mitigation plans so communities can be more resilient from natural hazards. The guide was a collaboration between FEMA and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Hispanic entrepreneurship is vital to the strength of the U.S. economy. Between 2009-2019 the number of Hispanic business owners in the United States surged 34 percent, compared to a one percent increase for all business owners. From its earliest days, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has been at the forefront of efforts to develop a dynamic economic environment that provides a solid foundation for Hispanic commercial success.

EDA’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge is not only a generational investment in place-based economic policy, it is also a significant opportunity for practice-observant research in the field of economic development. To capitalize on this historic moment, this month, EDA’s Research and National Technical Assistance program is announcing two investments designed to stimulate a robust research agenda that will explore, document, and disseminate the lessons, outcomes, and replicable models of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, helping amplify its impact beyond the regional coalitions awarded federal funding. This grant is funded through EDA’s ARPA Research and Networks Funding Opportunity.

In June, EDA announced the award of a $4 million grant to RTI International to coordinate and lead a Community of Practice (CoP) dedicated to building long-term connections between the Build Back Better Regional Challenge’s 60 finalist coalitions.

Workforce development is core to EDA’s mission of driving place-based economic development that results in thriving regions with growing, globally competitive industries. Without a skilled, engaged, and inclusive local talent pool, industries cannot grow, businesses will not invest, and local economies will not flourish.

Carolee Wenderoth came to EDA in 2021 as the Tribal Engagement Coordinator. She is the first person to occupy this new position and serves an advisory role on Tribal issues.

On August 3, 2022, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced its award of a $4.6 million grant to Jobs for the Future (JFF) to coordinate and lead a national Community of Practice (CoP) dedicated to sharing best practices, providing technical assistance, and extending professional networks among the $500 million Good Jobs Challenge’s grantee organizations announced earlier on August 3.