THIS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CEDS) IN THE REGION SERVED BY THE BOOTHEEL REGIONAL PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF DUNKLIN, MISSISSIPPI, NEW MADRID, PEMISCOT, SCOTT AND STODDARD COUNTIES IN MISSOURI. 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.