The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $840,000 Project Grant to the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission under the Economic Development Support for Planning Organizations program (CFDA 11.302). The funding will support the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the five-county region of Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, and Williamson Counties in Illinois from July 2022 through June 2025. As the designated planning organization for the region, the Commission will bring together public and private sector stakeholders to create an economic roadmap aimed at strengthening the regional economy, supporting private capital investment, and creating jobs. The EDA grant will allow the Commission to coordinate regional planning efforts to stimulate and guide economic development across the five-county area.