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Department of Commerce: Economic Development Administration

Link to Economic Development Administration (EDA) Web siteCongress created the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Exit EPA disclaimer pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (as amended). The administration's purpose is to generate new jobs; help retain existing jobs; and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas of the United States. EDA provides grants for infrastructure development, local capacity building and business development to help communities alleviate conditions of substantial and persistent unemployment as well as underemployment in economically distressed areas and regions. 

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT

  • Public Works:  Through investments in locally developed public works infrastructure projects, EDA will help communities establish and support private sector businesses. Grant funds can be used for major construction projects, such as water and sewer lines and public facilities that might encourage private investment. Site assessment remediation can be funded through these grants provided they are not more than 10% of the total budget (with the exception of housing).
  • Planning:  EDA will help communities build the capacity to focus on long-term economic challenges by developing Economic Development District organizations. These organizations are often coordinating entities for various federal and state programs.
  • University Centers:  EDA will encourage universities to integrate programs of higher education into the local community for the purpose of promoting private-sector job creation and economic development.
  • Trade Adjustment Centers:  EDA will offer effective, cost-shared professional assistance to trade-injured firms. EDA currently supports a nationwide network of twelve Trade Adjustment Centers that help U.S. manufacturing firms injured by imports to develop strategies for competing in the global market place.
  • Defense Economic Adjustment:  To assist communities impacted by military base closures and contractor cutbacks, EDA invests in infrastructure modernization at closed military bases for private sector redevelopment. EDA provides this support through activities such as construction of new and rehabilitation of existing buildings; upgrading water and sewer system quality;  demolishing buildings and building access roads.
  • Office of Economic Conversion Information (OECI):  In collaboration with the Department of Defense, EDA provides a free database of information about defense adjustment, defense conversion, economic development and technology transfer. The database contains a compilation of government programs and a host of other materials designed to assist businesses, communities and workers affected by defense budget cutbacks and other economic development challenges.
  • Revolving Loan Funds:  EDA will provide Revolving Loan Funds (RLF), which provide opportunities for local investment in commercial development projects and creating community-based jobs. Upon repayment, principal and interest stay in the community for re-lending and further economic development activity.
  • Local Technical Assistance: EDA's local technical assistance grants help fill the knowledge gaps that inhibit communities from responding to development opportunities or solving specific economic problems. A common purpose of these grants is to determine the feasibility of proposed economic development investments.
  • National Technical Assistance and Research:  EDA will fund proposals that increase knowledge about or demonstrate innovative economic development techniques as well as measure program performance. Assistance is intended to provide resources, often through intermediary organizations that give technical assistance to local and state economic development organizations and practitioners.
HOW TO ACCESS PARTNER RESOURCES

The EDA programs are only available to communities experiencing severe economic distress.  EDA considers a community distressed if the two year unemployment rate is at least 1% above the national average or if the per capita income of the community is 80% of the national average.

The EDA's resources can be accessed through the state's Economic Development Representative (EDR) or the regional EDA office. Contacts are listed below. 

POINT OF CONTACT

New Jersey, New York City, Long Island
Edward Hummel            
Telephone: 215-597-6767
Department of Commerce-EDA
The Curtis Center-Suite 140 South
Independence Square West
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  19106
EHummel@doc.gov

New York State, except New York City & Long Island
H. John Marshall                
Telephone: 315-448-0938
Department of Commerce-EDA
620 Erie Boulevard West, Suite 104
Syracuse, NY  13204-2442
HMarshal@doc.gov

Puerto Rico
Ernesto Cruz                  
Telephone: 787-766-5187
Munoz Rivera Avenue
654 IBM Building, 6th Floor, Suite 602
Hato Rey, PR 00918
ECruz@doc.gov

Brownfields Redevelopment through partnerships: Industry, Business, Government, Community

 

Regional Brownfields Hotline (800) 346-5009

Pilots in Region 2 | Pilot Assessments | National Web Site |Grant Application  |Contacts | Resource Directory | Quarterly Reports

For information, contact: brownfields.r2@epa.gov

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