Economic Development Support for Planning Organizations

The Economic Development Planning Assistance program provides essential investment support to district organizations, Native American organizations, states, sub-state planning regions, urban counties, cities and other eligible recipient to assist in

Through the Planning program, EDA provides assistance to eligible recipients to create regional economic development plans in order to stimulate and guide the economic development efforts of a community or region. As part of this program, EDA supports Partnership Planning investments to facilitate the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), which leverage the unique assets of their respective regions to help create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation's most economically distressed regions. To facilitate CEDS, EDA provides Partnership Planning grants to the designated planning organization (e.g., District Organization) serving EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs) throughout the Nation. These planning organizations are typically recognized by the State in which they reside as multi-jurisdictional councils of governments, regional commissions, or planning and development centers. Partnership Planning grants enable planning organizations to manage and coordinate the development and implementation of CEDS. In addition, EDA provides Partnership Planning grants to Indian Tribes to help organize and assist with the implementation of economic development activities within their areas. The majority of funding under the Planning program is for Partnership Planning grants for Indian Tribes and EDA-designated EDDs. The Planning program also helps support planning organizations and other eligible recipients, including District Organizations and Indian Tribes, with Short-Term and State Planning efforts in order to stimulate and guide the creation and/or retention of higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the Nation's most economically distressed regions. For example, EDA might provide Short-Term Planning funding to a coalition of Tribal and regional organizations to plan a coordinated response to the sudden loss of a major employer in the affected area(s).

Pursuant to Section 3(6) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. § 3122(6)(A)) and 13 C.F.R. § 300.3 (Eligible Recipient), eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under the Public Works and EAA programs include a(n): (i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, county, city, or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State; (vi) an economic development organization; or (vii) a public-private partnership for public infrastructure. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for funding.

EDA Planning investments provide support to Planning Organizations for the development, implementation, revision, or replacement of a CEDS. They also may provide support for related short-term planning investments and State plans designed to create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed in the nation's most economically distressed regions.

EDA Planning investments support the preparation of CEDS that guide EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance implementation investments, including Revolving Loan Funds. Sound local planning also attracts other Federal, state, and local funds plus private sector investments to implement long term development strategies. In this way, EDA's Planning program plays a foundational role in helping communities develop important strategies that inform future economic development decisions. Comprehensive, market-based, local and regional planning is an essential component of successful economic development. Effective planning creates a road map for community growth and development with a focused approach towards creating higher-skill, higher-wage jobs. The Planning Program provides a foundation for EDA's infrastructure investments, which are designed to stimulate economic growth in distressed regions. The planning process supports an assessment of the region's economic conditions and the development of a CEDS to guide resource allocation and project development. The key value of this process is that it is locally determined and involves participation from all the diverse interests in the community.

EDA Planning investments support the preparation of CEDS that guide EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance implementation investments, including Revolving Loan Funds. Sound local planning also attracts other Federal, state, and local funds plus private sector investments to implement long term development strategies. In this way, EDA's Planning program plays a foundational role in helping communities develop important strategies that inform future economic development decisions. Comprehensive, market-based, local and regional planning is an essential component of successful economic development. Effective planning creates a road map for community growth and development with a focused approach towards creating higher-skill, higher-wage jobs. The Planning Program provides a foundation for EDA's infrastructure investments, which are designed to stimulate economic growth in distressed regions. The planning process supports an assessment of the region's economic conditions and the development of a CEDS to guide resource allocation and project development. The key value of this process is that it is locally determined and involves participation from all the diverse interests in the community.

Most grants are for 36-month periods.

Preapplication coordination is not required, but EDA offers applicants assistance in developing applications through its network of field-based Economic Development Representatives (EDRs).

In addition to evaluating applications based on EDA's mission, funding priorities, and the evaluation criteria laid out in the applicable FFO, EDA also considers: (1) The proposed scope of work for the development, implementation, revision or replacement of the CEDS, or the relation of the CEDS to the proposed short-term planning activities or the State plan; (2) The qualifications of the applicant to implement the goals and objectives resulting from the CEDS, short-term planning activities or the State plan; (3) The involvement of the Region's business leadership at each stage of the preparation of the CEDS, short-term planning activities or State plan; (4) The extent of broad-based representation and involvement of the Region's civic, business, labor, minority and other interests in the proposed economic development activities; and (5) The feasibility of the proposed scope of work to create and retain higher-skill, higher-wage jobs through implementation of the CEDS. In addition, for continuation awards, funded recipients are evaluated on the basis of the extent of continuing economic distress within the Region, their past performance, and the overall effectiveness of their CEDS. For Planning Investment awards to a State, EDA will also consider the extent to which the State will integrate and coordinate its CEDS with local and Economic Development District plans.

Staff in the applicable EDA regional office review applications for eligibility and compatibility with EDA's mission and funding priorities. Applications deemed eligible and at least minimally consistent with EDA's mission and funding priorities are referred to an Investment Review Committee, which recommends applications for funding to the Regional Director.

EDA accepts new applications on a rolling basis and announces awards throughout the year. For continuation awards, regional offices may impose their own deadline for submission based on the previous award's period of performance.

For continuation awards, regional offices may impose their own deadline for submission based on the previous award's period of performance.