This EDA investment supports the update and continued implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (ceds) for the copper valley region in alaska

The Copper Valley Development Association, Inc. was awarded a $160,000 project grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's Economic Adjustment Assistance program on May 24, 2022. The funding will support updating and continuing implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Copper Valley region of Alaska. Key products and services include incorporating 2020 Census data, hosting sub-regional planning workshops, and gathering community input to allow for expanding commercial agriculture and farming opportunities, potential for a railroad connection, improved air cargo utilization, and coronavirus pandemic recovery. The updated CEDS will further the region's economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the economy through new high-wage jobs for residents.

The updated ceds will require incorporating data from the 2020 census, hosting sub-regional planning workshops, and visiting community organizations and other partners to gather community concerns. The result will allow for expanding commercial agriculture and farming opportunity, potential for a railroad connection, improved utilization of air cargo, and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The ceds process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy, and the updated ceds will allow the region to expand economic opportunity and create high-wage jobs for its' residents.