THIS EDA PLANNING INVESTMENT SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) IN THE SOUTH EAST REGION OF LOUISIANA, WHICH COMPRISES A FIVE-PARISH REGION THAT INCLUDES JEFFERSON, ORLEANS, PLAQUEMINES, ST. BERNARD, AND ST. TAMMANY. 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.