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April 3, 2024

EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge Puts Thousands of Americans to Work

Just last month, over 200 people from across the country gathered together in Washington, DC. They were from state governments, community colleges, and non-profits, representing rural towns, big cities, and everything in between. The one thing they all had in common, they are all partners in this once in a generation investment to place 50,000 Americans into good jobs they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to access. In 2022, the Department of Commerce launched the Good Jobs Challenge in the wake of the pandemic to upskill underemployed individuals and provide job opportunities for those the labor market has historically passed over.

March 21, 2024

EDA Celebrates Women’s History Month

In observance of Women’s History Month 2024, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) joins other U.S. Department of Commerce bureaus recognizing the tremendous contributions of women and the importance of ensuring equity and opportunity for all.

March 18, 2024

EDA and WBENC Leaders Discuss Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Opportunity for Women’s History Month 2024

As part of Women’s History Month 2024 observances at EDA, Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo recently hosted a discussion on women entrepreneurship and innovation with Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, a critical provider of resources and advocacy for women business owners.

March 5, 2024

EDA Observes One Year of Equity Executive Order 14091

On February 16, 2024, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves joined Biden-Harris Administration leaders at the White House for the release of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2023 update to its Equity Action Report. The report’s release coincided with the first anniversary of Executive Order 14091, President Biden’s second Executive Order on equity. Among its highlights is the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) stewardship of $3 billion in funding distributed to 780 diverse grantees — many of whom are working at the forefront of equitable economic development — through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

February 26, 2024

Three Spheres of Equity in Workforce Development Programs

Funded by the American Rescue Plan, the Good Jobs Challenge (GJC) invested $500 million across 31 states and Puerto Rico in industry-led workforce training partnerships. Through this once-in-a-generation investment, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) enters new terrain in workforce development and is placing a heightened focus on addressing disparities and uplifting underserved communities by creating pipelines to good jobs.

February 20, 2024

EDA Celebrates Black History Month

During February, EDA joins other U.S. Department of Commerce bureaus in celebrating Black History Month. EDA’s commitment to equity and expanding opportunity for Black Americans permeates everything we do throughout the year.

February 8, 2024

EDA and Purdue University Partner to Redefine Industry Clusters

Through transformational investments like the regional Tech Hubs initiative and Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has centered the creation and curation of regional industry clusters at the forefront of the nation’s economic development agenda. When strategically placed and properly supported, industry clusters can be effective in steering the direction and development of local economies.

January 22, 2024

EDA and Civic Roundtable Collaborate on UC Hub

For nearly 45 years, the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) University Center program has empowered leading colleges and universities to become champions of regional economic ecosystems. These centers provide small businesses and local governments with research-informed technical assistance leading to job creation, business expansion, and the development of highly-skilled talent pools.

December 8, 2023

EDA 2023: A Year of Impact

2023 was another year of tremendous impact and growth at the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Our dedicated team of public servants work tirelessly to improve the competitiveness of American industry through equitable and inclusive economic growth, a core priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. EDA’s efforts in 2023 resulted in approximately $403 million of federal investment in 584 projects, which are expected to support more than 27,000 quality jobs, and nearly $8.5 billion in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

November 17, 2023

Equitable Lending Leaders: Fostering Inclusive Entrepreneurial Lending in Indigenous Communities

Equity is the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) number one investment priority. While all EDA grant applications are evaluated with an equity lens, the bureau has also launched several dedicated programs to advance best practices in equitable economic development and deliver focused support to underrepresented populations, including America’s indigenous and tribal communities.