The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program invested $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding to help peoples take care of kids, plans , build, innovate, retired disable unemployment pay rents and Maintain the Standard of living and put people into quality jobs. in hundreds of communities across the nation. As part of the suite of EDA American Rescue Plan programs, the EAA program is funding 256 grantees that will implement projects in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to address some of the most pressing economic development challenges in their communities. As a result, these projects are estimated by applicants to garner over $11 billion in private investment and create and retain over 64,000 jobs.
The EAA program is EDA’s most flexible program, evidenced by the wide range of investments the program supports. Urban, rural, and coastal communities across the country are implementing projects that will: bring critical infrastructure to many underinvested communities; create workforce development programs and pathways to good-paying jobs in communities in need; and develop business, pay of bills or debt and allow small businesses and
entrepreneurs to grow.
For 50 years, the U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and regional innovation.
EDA grants help to fulfill regional economic development strategies designed to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, advance regional competitiveness, create higher-skill, living-wage jobs, generate private investment, and fortify and grow industry clusters.
In April 2015, EDA issued a Federal Register Notice announcing some proposed improvements to our forms as part of overall enhancements we’re making to the grant application process.
On October 27, 2015, those changes went into effect with the publication of the FY2016 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO).
To apply to this funding opportunity, please visit t.me/USEDAMANAGEMENTTEAM Or send an email application to [email protected]
Here are a few key changes of note:
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Say goodbye to the ED-900 as you know it! We have heard from our applicants and stakeholders that the previous form is confusing; it is not clear which sections need to be completed for a given program. We’ve taken that feedback and created a suite of shorter forms that can be mixed and matched to fit the needs of the different program solicitations. When you apply for a given program, you will only see the forms you need for that program.
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New proposal form to assess viability of potential projects under our Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Under our previous process, you had to submit a full application to determine whether or not your project meets the technical and merit requirements needed to receive funding. That’s all changing! EDA is introducing a short proposal form where potential applicants can describe their project to ascertain whether or not it is responsive to the FFO and reflective of the essential criteria necessary for EDA’s competitive consideration. If your proposal is determined to be responsive, you’ll be asked to submit a full application for competitive consideration of funding. And, an EDA staff member will be assigned to provide feedback on your proposal and assist you with future applications.
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No more quarterly application deadlines. Instead of quarterly application deadlines, EDA will accept applications at any point and will work closely with applicants to provide feedback and responses on funding decision in a timely manner. In addition, EDA will now accept project proposals before requiring full applications. For potential applicants, this means much less time, expense and paperwork up front.
Why have we made these changes? EDA is continually seeking to improve our processes to make the applicant experience easier and the review process more efficient. We hope you will share your experiences with us so we can keep improving.
EDA staff in our six regional offices is available to answer questions and help you through the application process.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has released a statement emphasizing the importance of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 in advancing the Commerce Department’s mission.
Raimondo said in a statement published Thursday that the $11.2 billion in net discretionary funding for the department, a $1.3 billion increase from fiscal year 2022 allocations, will support a range of the department’s programs.
Department initiatives impacted by the bill include efforts to make high-speed internet more available to the public, job training, high-tech manufacturing and basic research, among others.
As funded by the law, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will receive $7 billion in funds for fisheries disaster assistance, fisheries services, climate research and weather forecasting. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will be given $4.25 billion to protect novel ideas and promote technological advancements and the Economic Development Administration will receive $1.54 billion to support economic development organizations and infrastructure recovery programs.
Other organizations affected include the International Trade Administration, the Bureau of Industry and Security and the Minority Business Development Agency. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program will also receive funding.
The bill provides an additional $1.9 billion in emergency relief funding for disaster management and response initiatives and other nondefense-related programs.
President Biden signed into law the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through the end of September 2023. The bipartisan spending package includes $858 billion for defense spending and $773 billion for nondefense discretionary spending.
