The Hill News

As a former mayor, it is both an honor and a tremendous opportunity for me to lead the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). Mayors, as well as Governors, look at economic development through a unique lens. Our bottom line is always creating jobs.

That’s what EDA has been doing for almost 50 years.  Today it is the only federal government agency with economic development as its sole mission. Economic development has changed significantly since the agency was created within the U.S. Department of Commerce - so has EDA. We have aligned our priorities with the national agenda to fuel the innovation economy, while investing in the nation’s critical infrastructure. Additionally, we’ve taken steps to streamline the agency’s processes and improve programs and services to better serve EDA’s customers. Last year, the agency underwent a comprehensive reorganization to remove barriers to success and implemented several important changes to its grant applic! ation and review process to ensure it is as efficient, transparent and competitive as possible.

When local leaders from the public and private sectors want to work together to win the future - to create jobs and set the stage for long-term stability - EDA is there to help.

The agency has a pretty simple mandate:  to partner with communities and regions to help them grow their economies and create jobs. EDA offers a variety of tools to promote economic growth - from funding infrastructure investments and business incubators to micro loan funds and planning grants.

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