Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $350,000 to Eastgate Regional Council of Governments on July 1, 2025, under the Economic Development Support for Planning Organizations program (CFDA 11.302). This three-year project grant supports the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the tri-county region encompassing Ashtabula, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties in northeastern Ohio. The grant enables Eastgate to convene public and private sector stakeholders to create an economic development roadmap designed to strengthen regional economic performance, attract private capital investment, and generate employment opportunities through June 30, 2028.

Under this award, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments will leverage its regional planning capabilities to develop strategic economic initiatives that prioritize job creation and retention, particularly targeting higher-skill, higher-wage employment in economically distressed areas. The deliverables encompass comprehensive planning efforts, stakeholder coordination across civic, business, and labor sectors, and the creation of an actionable implementation framework to guide regional economic development activities. This investment aligns with EDA's mission to support planning organizations designated as Economic Development Districts in managing CEDS development and implementation to stimulate sustainable economic growth.