The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is an agency in the

United States Department of Commerce The United States Department of Commerce is an executive department of the U.S. federal government concerned with creating the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. Among its tasks are gathering economic and demographic data for bus ...

that provides grants and technical assistance to economically distressed communities in order to generate new employment, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth through a variety of investment programs.

History

In 1965, Congress passed the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) (42 U.S.C. § 3121), which authorized the creation of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically troubled areas of the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the United States experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.

Mission and investment priorities

The EDA's stated mission is to "lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy." The EDA's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is the key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.

Role

The EDA is the only federal government agency solely focused on economic development. EDA works with communities across the country on regional economic development strategies to attract private investment and create jobs in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA's economic footprint is wide and its tool box is extensive—including technical assistance, post-disaster recovery assistance, trade adjustment support, strategic planning and research and evaluation capacity, thereby allowing the agency to offer the most effective investment to help communities succeed in the global economy.

Multi-agency initiatives

EDA leads a host of multi-agency initiatives to advance intergovernmental and public-private partnerships across the nation. These initiatives include: *Assistance to Coal Communities *EDA Vista Corps *Americas Competitiveness Exchange

Organization

The EDA is led by an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, who is appointed by the President of the United States. The Assistant Secretary is assisted in running the Administration by two Deputy Assistant Secretaries and various other senior career federal employees, and has the following organizational structure: *Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development **Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development/Chief Operating Officer **Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development/Office of Regional Affairs ***Office of External Affairs ***Office of Information Technology ***Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship ***Office of Finance and Management Services **Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Regional Affairs ***Office of Regional Affairs ****Atlanta Regional Office ****Austin Regional Office ****Chicago Regional Office ****Denver Regional Office ****Philadelphia Regional Office ****Seattle Regional Office

Senior leadership

*Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development *Dennis Alvord, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and COOwww.eda.gov
(seen 4 April 2020) *Craig Buerstatte, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs *Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy *Molly Ritner, Chief of Staff *Greg Brown, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer *(Vacant), Director of the Office of External Affairs *Jeff Roberson, Chief Counsel *Bryan Borlik, Director of Performance and National Programs, Trade Adjustment Assistance *Angela Ewell-Madison, Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs *(Vacant), Director of the Office of Public Affairs *Doug Lynott, Director of Economic Development Integration and Disaster Recovery

References

External links

*
Economic Development Administration
in the

Federal Register The ''Federal Register'' (FR or sometimes Fed. Reg.) is the official journal of the federal government of the United States that contains government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices. It is published every weekday, except on fede ...

{{Authority control Investment promotion agencies United States Department of Commerce agencies United States economic policy Government agencies established in 1965 Development in North America Federal assistance in the United States