Where We Work
September 2023, “EDA’s Disaster Support is both Immediate and Long-Term,” EDA Blog Post
Active Missions
California
Southern California Wildfires
Mission Dates: 3/17-6/16/2025
Florida
FY25 Hurricane Milton, FY25 Hurricane Helene, FY24 Hurricane Debby
Mission Dates: 11/2024-5/31/2025
Louisiana
Hurricane Francine
Mission Dates: 12/2/2024-3/28/2025
Past Missions/Closed Missions
Oklahoma
FY2024 Oklahoma Tornadoes, DR-4776-OK
Mission Dates: 6/3/2024-2/13/2025
The State of Oklahoma received two major disaster declarations in April and June resulting from severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. Since June, the EDA has been deployed to help the counties hard hit by recent tornadoes build back stronger and more resilient. Recently, EDA invested $240,000 in an Economic Adjustment Assistance project, matched by $60,000 in local investments, to the Southern Oklahoma Development Association. This project will support the hiring of disaster recovery coordinator and help communities mitigate the impacts of the devastating tornadoes. Additionally, in September, EDA awarded a $2.5 million grant to the city of Barnsdall, to help rebuild the Waxhoma Lake Dam, matched by$1 million in local funds. These investments will make the regional economy more resilient against future disruptions and serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth.
Hawaii
FY2023 Hawaii Wildfires, DR-4724-HI
Mission Dates: 8/19/2023 – 12/31/2024
EDA has been deployed to Hawaii following catastrophic wildfires on the island of Maui in August 2023. Throughout its mission, EDA will be assisting communities in their efforts to rebuild and become more resilient to future disasters.
Vermont
FY24 Vermont Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides
Mission Dates: 10/1-11/30/24
FY2023 Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, DR-4720-VT
Mission Dates: 9/6/2023 – 2/6/2024
EDA was deployed to Vermont to lead the Economic Recovery Support Function (ERSF) and assist in coordinating activities between other federal agencies in the field. EDA contributed to preparing a Needs Assessment and Recovery Strategies (PDF) documents and provided ongoing support to Vermont’s Economic Recovery Task Force. EDA also attended the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Town Fair, FEMA Regional Recovery Symposiums, and visited numerous impacted communities and regional planning commissions. Additionally, EDA awarded $414,897 to the Northern Vermont Economic Development District for a Recovery and Resiliency project in the Lamoille River Valley. Vermont has continued to experience flooding in August 2023 (DR-4744), December 2023 (DR-4762) and July 2024 (Hurricane Beryl). EDA’s efforts in Vermont aim to enhance the state’s resiliency to future natural disasters and help communities recover from recent events.
Guam
FY 2023 Typhoon Mawar, DR-4715-GU
Mission Dates: 7/2023 – 5/31/2024
EDA has been deployed to Guam (7/31/2023- 10/31/2023) to lead the Economic Recovery Support Function in response to Typhoon Mawar.
Florida
FY2023, Hurricane Idalia, DR-4734-FL
Mission Dates: 9/8/2023 – 5/3/2024
Following Hurricane Idalia, EDA was deployed to Florida to help coordinate the Economic Recovery Support Function (ERSF). This new mission will support the largely rural impacted area recover from the aftermath of this storm and become more resilient to future disasters.
EDA held meetings in Hamilton County, FL, to learn about the community’s recovery needs from Hurricane Idalia and to help support their efforts to become more resilient to future disasters.
FY 2022 Hurricane Ian, DR-4673-FL
Mission Dates: 10/2022 – 9/2023
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, EDA deployed immediately for a recovery mission (10/2/2022 – 9/30/2023) to help affected communities rebuild and become more resilient to future disasters. From March 13 -24, EDA co-sponsored Regional Economic Recovery & Resiliency Workshops with affected Regional Planning Councils. Please read more about EDA’s work in Florida.
Additionally, as part of the Hurricane Ian Mission, the ERSF team joined local, state, and federal partners to host a series of virtual sessions titled, Industries of the Future, A Pathway Toward Economic Resilience. Six webinar sessions highlighted opportunities to diversify Florida’s economic base, build a more resilient economy, and create high-wage, high-skill employment opportunities. The sessions occurred during the summer of 2023.
Please read the Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Recovery Needs Assessment. (PDF)
To learn more about EDA’s work on the ground, see the story on our recovery work in Florida, following Hurricane Ian. Please also read about EDA’s grant investment in North Carolina to help the state better prepare for disasters.
FY 2019 Hurricane Michael, DR-4399-FL
Mission Dates: 11/2018-9/2019
The Economic RSF was active followed the Catastrophic Hurricane Michael in Florida, the mission was a holistic view of recovery, with all stakeholders working closely to leverage resources, reduce barriers to accessing aid, and identify long-term solutions which reduce natural hazard risk. [Read more]
FY 2017 Hurricane Irma, DR-4337-FL
Mission dates: 9/2017- 2/2018
Working in collaboration with economic development organizations and federal partners, EDA helped to organize seven Economic Recovery and Resiliency workshops in February 2018 to help the hard-hit Hurricane Irma communities. Read about the workshops here (PDF). Please also read a US Department of Housing and Urban Development article about the workshops.
Arkansas
FY 2023 Tornados, DR-4698-AR
Mission Dates: 4/2023 – 9/2023
EDA was activated in Arkansas (4/24/2023-9/30/2023) to support communities in the aftermath of the tornado outbreak. During the mission, EDA engaged with the Central Arkansas and East Arkansas Economic Development Districts to facilitate recovery efforts and identify potential funding opportunities.
California
FY 2023 Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides DR-4683-CA
Mission Dates: 2/2023 - 6/2023
FY 2023 Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, DR-4699-CA
Mission Dates: 5/2023 – 8/2023
EDA was deployed to California for two missions (2/21/2023-6/21/2023 and 5/1/2023-8/31/2023) to lead the Economic Recovery Support Function in response to floods and severe storms in the region. The ERSF hosted several special events to ensure that communities had access to essential information and recovery resources.
In May of 2023, the Federal Partners for Coastal Resilience presented current funding and technical assistance opportunities to a virtual audience of 114. Additionally, EDA offered two in-person sessions (in Los Angeles and Sausalito) where interested grant applicants presented ideas to funding agencies who asked questions and provided general feedback.
As a part of the extended mission in California, EDA joined regional partners to host a series of four webinars on business resilience and access to capital. The webinars are listed and linked here:
Presentations made at the June 15th Coastal Resilience Meeting in Sausalito included (Top to Bottom) Frederick Carr, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria; Jessica Trask, San Jose State University; and Christopher Lim, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District.
Prior to the mission, the California Association for Local Economic Development published the Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook (PDF) in partnership with EDA which served as a helpful resource during the missions.
Kentucky
FY 2022 Kentucky Floods, DR-4663-KY
Mission dates: 8/2022-4/2023
EDA reported to duty to lead Economic Recovery Support for the KY floods on 8/11/22 through 4/20/23. We are working closely with the Commonwealth’s Cabinets for Economic Development and Labor and Education, Area Development Districts, CDFIs, Workforce Investment Boards, the Small Business Administration, the USDA, the Department of Labor, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Appalachian Regional Commission,to identify resources and funding opportunities to meet needs that were identified by stakeholders.
FY 2022 Kentucky Tornado, DR-4630-KY
Mission dates: 1/2022- 8/2022
EDA held a webinar series in July and August 2022 to help Western KY businesses and communities recover from the December tornadoes. Learn more about the webinars below:
Louisiana
FY 2022 Hurricane Ida, DR 4611-LA
Mission Dates: 10/2021-3/2022
FY 2021 Hurricane Laura, DR-4559-LA
Mission Dates: 11/2020-4/2021
EDA was activated for a 5-month mission to lead economic recovery support in Louisiana, following Hurricane Ida – a Category 4 storm which hit Louisiana on August 29, the anniversary of the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall. The most impacted parishes are in Southeastern LA. EDA will serve from 10/18/21-3/20/22.
Hurricanes Laura and Delta hit Louisiana with record-breaking strength during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, making for a uniquely challenging mission. EDA virtually deployed to lead the ERSF on November 1st for five months, with USDA and other federal partners. EDA convened a “Federal Interagency Resource Exchange” to learn more about the area’s significant economic recovery needs and to introduce local communities to federal resources and outside experts on issues such as rural broadband, disaster philanthropy, tourism, disaster resilience and agriculture. As a result, nearly 100 participants were engaged in problem-solving discussions and breakout groups on numerous programs, representing billions in potential funding.
Mississippi
FY 2023 Mississippi Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornados, DR-4697-MS
Mission Dates: 3/2023 - 6/2023
EDA was deployed to Mississippi (3/31/2023 – 6/29/2023) in response to severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornados. The ERSF team conducted four Community Listening Sessions and engaged with more than 150 attendees representing over 80 local, county, and state offices and agencies, the business community, nonprofit sector, and other recovery-related leadership organizations. Representatives from every impacted county joined the sessions to examine key recovery topics including access to housing and broadband internet.
Missouri
FY 2022 Missouri Flooding, DR-4665-MO
Mission Dates: 9/2022 – 1/2023
EDA led the Economic Recovery Support in the St. Louis region in response to severe floods.
FY 2019 Missouri Floods, DR-4451-MO
Mission dates: 10/2019-3/2020
In 2019 EDA was deployed in Missouri (10/8/19-3/16/20) and Nebraska (6/15/19-8/15/19) to help communities recover from severe flooding. Read about EDA’s work in Missouri to support businesses and communities in their time of need.
EDA invested $4.8 million in grant funding enabling the city of Moberly, MO improve water infrastructure. Businesses in downtown Moberly were previously struggling with recurring flooding, which discouraged investment. The grant will help the city attract investment and revitalize the downtown area.
Encore 2 is one of the businesses that was facing reoccurring flooding in Moberly, MO before an EDA investment.
Montana
FY 2022 Montana Severe Storm and Flooding, DR-4655-MT
Mission Dates: 8/2022 – 11/2022
Following the Yellowstone National Park floods, EDA deployed to help small gateway communities recover from floods’ disastrous economic effects. EDA served from 8/2-12/28/22, holding a strategic workshop on December 2, in Livingston, MT, allowing communities the chance to problem-solve and affirm a regional identity in working to increase future resiliency.
New Mexico
FY 2022 New Mexico Wildfires and Flooding, DR-4652-NM
Mission Dates: 7/2022 – 5/11/2023
Following devastating wildfires in New Mexico, EDA reported to duty on 7/18/2022-5/11/2023 to help communities build back local economies. Working with USDA and other partners, EDA has been helping the word products industry salvage timber, saving jobs and income.
Puerto Rico
FY 2017 Hurricane Maria, DR-4339-PR
Mission dates: 11/2017 –5/2023
EDA has been active in PR since (11/2017 – 5/15/2023), after the landfall of 2 catastrophic hurricanes, which crippled the Island to an unprecedented level of devastation, making it the nation’s most logistically complex response in FEMA history. Thus far, EDA has invested over $134M in 31 projects in Puerto Rico and over $60M in 11 projects in the US Virgin Islands to advance their economic recovery. [Read more]
In April 2023, EDA officially certified and recognized the Southern Puerto Rico Economic Development District (SPREDD), Puerto Rico’s first regional EDD. It will focus on helping small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs develop a favorable business climate for the island’s southern region. [Read more]
April 2022, Deputy Secretary Don Graves, Assistant Secretary Alejandra Castillo, and EDA Regional Director Linda Cruz Carnall visited Puerto Rico to meet with EDA grantees, Governors’ Pierluisi and key stakeholders to discuss challenges and recommendations for economic growth on the island and how the federal government and Puerto Rico can continue to work together to advance a shared economic development agenda. [Read more]
Texas
FY 2018 Hurricane Harvey, DR-4332-TX
Mission Dates: 8/2017-3/2019
EDA facilitated a series of workshops to help 8 coastal Texas regions recover from Hurricane Harvey in 2018. The turnout, described as “fantastic”, included a broad variety of community stakeholders, that came to rely on EDA’s expertise. EDA convened the entire spectrum of Federal partners, and ensured the workshop emphasized resilience, face-to-face interactions and practical solutions to local problems. These workshops served more than 300 community leaders, sharing information on programs totaling $6.4 billion in funding. Please also read this story on EDA’s role in Hurricane Harvey recovery.
Virgin Islands
FY 2017 Hurricane Maria, DR-4340-VI
Mission Dates: 11/2017-12/2022
EDA as Economic Recovery Support Function lead recently completed its five-year Hurricane Maria mission on December 20, 2022. The mission was led by Janelle Schindler, EDA’s Philadelphia Regional Office. Building partnership with territorial and Federal agencies, EDA helped USVI build capacity to become more resilient to future disasters. Among its activities, EDA supported a new Laborshed study (PDF) for USVI, helping the islands build its workforce for jobs of today and the future.
June 29, 2022- Deputy Assistance Secretary and Chief Operating Officer Dennis Alvord celebrated the grand opening of the University of the Virgin Islands Medical Simulation Center. The Center was made possible through a $14.1 million EDA disaster relief and recovery grant in 2019. [Read more]
Washington
FY 2022 Washington Repeat Flooding, DR-4635-WA
Mission Dates: 7/2022 - 11/2022
From 7/15-11/15/22, EDA was deployed to help Clallam, Whatcom and Skagit Counties recover from repeat flooding and work to become more resilient to future flooding. Highlights included a large Natural Disaster Workshop in Clallam County in September. See the Natural Disaster Resilience Planning in North Olympic Peninsula, Final Report, June 2022, an integrated planning document in which EDA provided input.
Other Disaster Recovery & Resiliency Activities
California
EDA invested in a green infrastructure project in San Diego to reduce flooding to commercial enterprises and airport access routes. The project includes innovative upstream improvements to reduce runoff and debris deposited into the city’s stormwater infrastructure, while enhancing passive outdoor recreation and economic development opportunities for the region. [Read more]
To facilitate Butte County’s recovery from the 2018 Camp Wildfire, EDA partnered with 3CORE, a local Economic Development District. Together, they were able to provide emergency and gap financing to small businesses, secure several grants to plan and update transportation infrastructure, and host workshops informing partners on the granting process. That partnership is expected to result in the retainment or creation of nearly 1,000 jobs, and the generation of $32 million in private investment in Butte County alone.