This $140,000 Project Grant awarded by the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (CFDA 11.303 Economic Development Technical Assistance) supports the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Commonwealth Regional Council, which serves seven counties in Virginia. The CEDS process will engage both the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap aimed at diversifying and strengthening the regional economy. As the subrecipient, the Commonwealth Regional Council will lead this CEDS planning effort over the project period from August 2, 2023 to July 31, 2024. The Council also provides regional planning services spanning economic development, transportation, emergency management, and environmental programs in its seven-county service area, with support from additional federal and state grants.