ABOUT EDAEconomic Development AdministrationEDA_0aa27096-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f805As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.U.S. Department of CommerceCommunities in the U.S.Economically Distressed AreasJAY WILLIAMSU.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development -- Jay Williams was appointed by President Obama to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and was sworn into office on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. As the Administrator of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), Williams is charged with leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the global economy.MATT S. ERSKINEU.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and Chief Operating Officer for the Economic Development Administration -- Matt S. Erskine was appointed by President Obama to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and Chief Operating Officer of the Economic Development Administration in September 2011. Mr. Erskine brings more than 20 years of leadership and management experience in business, public sector, and public-private partnerships. Prior to joining the Obama Administration and the Department of Commerce, he led the private-public partnership driving economic development and foreign direct investment for the 5th largest metropolitan region in the U.S. and worked in senior roles at global business consulting firms.THOMAS GUEVARADeputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs -- Thomas Guevara in his capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs directs and supervises the activities of the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Office of Regional Affairs, including the Performance and National Programs Division and all six EDA Regional Offices. EDA's Regional Offices are responsible for program delivery of investments that fulfill the agency's mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.Tene DolphinChief of StaffStephen KongChief CounselAngela Belden MartinezDirector, Office of External AffairsAngela Ewell-MadisonDirector, Legislative and Intergovernmental AffairsBreelyn PeteDirector of Public AffairsMark JohnsonDeputy Chief Information OfficerBryan BorlikDirector, Performance and National Programs, Trade Adjustment AssistanceJulie Lenzer KirkDirector, Office of Innovation and EntrepreneurshipAndrew BaldusChief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative OfficerH. Philip Paradice, Jr.Atlanta Regional Office DirectorPedro R. GarzaAustin Regional Office DirectorJeannette P. TamayoChicago Regional Office DirectorRobert E. OlsonDenver Regional Office DirectorWillie C. TaylorPhiladelphia Regional Office DirectorA. Leonard SmithSeattle Regional Office Director_0aa272c6-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f805To lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy._0aa27582-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f805Job GrowthThe U.S. Economic Development Administration's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration.Regional EconomiesInnovationInnovation is key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals.Regional CollaborationRegional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use their strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not.PartnershipEDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.EmpowermentGuided by the basic principle that communities must be empowered to develop and implement their own economic development and revitalization strategies, EDA works directly with local economic development officials to make grant investments that are well-defined, timely, and linked to a long-term, sustainable economic development strategy.FlexibilityEDA’s flexible programs and structure enable nimble operations and allow for innovation and responsiveness to changing economic needs and conditions faced by its local and state government partners. Grants made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets to support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.ResponsivenessToolsEDA's economic footprint is wide and its tool box is extensive -- including technical assistance, post-disaster recovery assistance, trade adjustment support, strategic planning and research and evaluation capacity, thereby allowing the agency to offer the most effective investment to help communities succeed in the global economy.Investments_0aa276c2-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051Public WorksEmpower distressed communities to revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure to attract new industry, encourage business expansion, diversify local economies, and generate or retain long-term, private sector jobs and investment._0aa277bc-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.1Distressed CommunitiesIndustriesBusinessesEconomic AdjustmentAssist state and local interests in designing and implementing strategies to adjust or bring about change to an economy._0aa2788e-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.2State InterestsLocal InterestsSmall BusinessesEntrepreneursThe program focuses on areas that have experienced or are under threat of serious structural damage to the underlying economic base. Under Economic Adjustment, EDA administers its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program, which supplies small businesses and entrepreneurs with the gap financing needed to start or expand their business.Partnership PlanningSupport local organizations with long-term planning efforts. _0aa27956-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.3Local OrganizationsEconomic Development DistrictsIndian TribesThe Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) Summary of Requirements (PDF), provides a synopsis of the requirements for comprehensive economic development strategies.Trade Adjustment AssistanceHelp strengthen the competitiveness of American companies that have lost domestic sales and employment because of increased imports of similar goods and services._0aa27a32-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.4FirmsAmerican CompaniesTrade Adjustment Assistance CentersA national network of 11 centersUniversity CentersPartner with academia to make the varied and vast resources of universities available to the economic development community._0aa27afa-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.5AcadmiaUniversitiesEconomic Development CommunityResearch & National Technical AssistanceSupport research of leading edge, world class economic development practices and information dissemination efforts._0aa27bcc-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.6Local Technical AssistanceHelp fill the knowledge and information gaps that may prevent leaders in the public and nonprofit sectors in distressed areas from making optimal decisions on local economic development issues._0aa27c9e-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8051.7Distressed AreasPublic LeadersNonprofit Sector LeadersInitiativesBreak down bureaucratic silos to be a more effective partner in the regions we serve._0aa27d7a-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052EDA is leading a number of multi-agency initiatives focused on breaking down the bureaucratic silos in Washington so that we can be a more effective partner in the regions we serve.Manufacturing CommunitiesHelp accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and create jobs in cities across the country._0aa27e56-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.1Manufacturing CommunitiesCities in the U.S.The Investing in Manufacturing Communities PartnershipMade in AmericaEncourage foreign and domestic businesses to build and/or expand their operations in the United States._0aa27f28-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.2Foreign BusinessesDomestic BusinessesThe Make it in America ChallengeCommunity StrengthStrengthen neighborhoods, towns, cities, and regions around the country by enhancing the capacity of local governments_0aa2800e-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.3CitiesCommunitiesNeighborhoodsTownsRegionsThe Strong Cities, Strong Communities Visioning Challenge -- The Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative, first announced in July 2011, seeks to strengthen neighborhoods, towns, cities, and regions around the country by enhancing the capacity of local governments to develop and execute their economic vision and strategies, providing necessary technical assistance and access to federal agency expertise, and creating new public and private sector partnerships. The SC2 Economic Planning Challenge is a key component of the initiative that includes a series of competitions in which six separate cities will work closely with the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to offer cash rewards for new solutions to Strategic Economic Transition planning in each community. Winning plans will be selected by local leaders.Vision & StrategyDevelop and execute economic vision and strategies._0aa280e0-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.3.1Technical Assistance & ExpertiseProvide technical assistance and access to federal agency expertise._0aa281c6-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.3.2PartnershipsCreate new public and private sector partnerships._0aa282b6-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.3.3Jobs & InnovationBring the public and private sectors together to build on America’s regional strengths and create local jobs in key industries of the future._0aa28392-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.4Public SectorPrivate SectorIndustriesLocalitiesThe Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge brings the public and private sectors together to build on America’s regional strengths and create local jobs in key industries of the future. The jobs and innovation Accelerator Challenge is an important example of how the federal government is working collaboratively and leveraging existing resources to enhance local efforts to build public-private partnerships that support economic growth and job creation.i6 Challenge[Make] multi-agency grants to encourage and reward innovative, groundbreaking ideas that accelerate technology commercialization, new venture formation, job creation, and economic growth across the United States._0aa28478-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8052.5New VenturesPrioritiesEvaluate projects._0aa28572-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053Within the parameters of a competitive grant process, all projects are evaluated to determine if they advance global competitiveness, create jobs, leverage public and private resources, can demonstratereadiness and ability to use funds quickly and effectively, and link to specific and measureable outcomes. To facilitate evaluation, EDA has established the following investment priorities:Collaborative Regional InnovationSupport the development and growth of innovation clusters based on existing regional competitive strengths._0aa28658-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.1Initiatives that support the development and growth of innovation clusters based on existing regional competitive strengths. Initiatives must engage stakeholders; facilitate collaboration among urban, suburban, and rural (including tribal) areas; provide stability for economic development through long-term intergovernmental and public/private collaboration; and support the growth of existing and emerging industries.Public/Private PartnershipsUse both public- and private-sector resources and leverage complementary investments by other government/public entities and/or nonprofits._0aa28748-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.2Government EntitiesPublic EntitiesPrivate SectorNonprofitsNational Strategic Priorities_0aa28842-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3Advanced ManufacturingEncourage job growth and business expansion related to advanced manufacturing._0aa2893c-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.1Manufacturing IndustryIT InfrastructureEncourage job growth and business expansion related to information technology (e.g., broadband, smart grid) infrastructure._0aa28a2c-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.2IT IndustryAutomotive IndustryEncourage job growth and business expansion related to communities severely impacted by automotive industry restructuring._0aa28b3a-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.3Automotive IndustryUrban WatersEncourage job growth and business expansion related to urban waters._0aa28c34-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.4Urban AreasSkills DevelopmentEncourage job growth and business expansion related to job-driven skills development._0aa28d24-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.5Natural DisastersEncourage job growth and business expansion related to natural disaster mitigation and resiliency._0aa28e32-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.6CapitalEncourage job growth and business expansion related to access to capital for small, medium-sized, and ethnically diverse enterprises._0aa28f2c-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.7Small EnterprisesMedium-Sized EnterprisesEthnically Diverse EnterprisesScience & Health CareEncourage job growth and business expansion related to innovations in science and health care._0aa29026-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.3.8Global CompetitivenessSupport high-growth businesses and innovation-based entrepreneurs to expand and compete in global markets, especially investments that expand U.S. exports, encourage foreign direct investment, and promote the repatriation of jobs back to the U.S._0aa2917a-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.4High-Growth BusinessesInnovation-Based EntrepreneursEnvironmentally-Sustainable DevelopmentPromote job creation and economic prosperity through projects that enhance environmental quality and develop and implement green products, processes, places, and buildings as part of the green economy. _0aa29288-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.5Economically Distressed & Underserved CommunitiesStrengthen diverse communities that have suffered disproportionate economic job losses and/or are rebuilding to become more competitive in the global economy._0aa2938c-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8053.6Economically Distressed CommunitiesUnderserved CommunitiesInnovation & EnterpriseFoster a more innovative U.S. economy focused on turning new ideas and inventions into products and technologies that spur job growth and competitiveness while promoting economic development._0aa29562-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE)Housed within the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) works to foster a more innovative U.S. economy focused on turning new ideas and inventions into products and technologies that spur job growth and competitiveness while promoting economic development.OIE StaffJulie Lenzer KirkDirectorCraig BuerstatteManagement AnalystAndria FisanichManagement AnalystJade MaysInternCreated by former Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and made official by Congress through the America Competes Act of 2010, the OIE [carries out the following objectives]:High-Growth EntrepreneurshipPromote and support high-growth entrepreneurship._0aa29670-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054.1EntrepreneursResearch CommercializationAccelerate commercialization of federally funded research._0aa2977e-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054.2Policies & ProgramsWork with other agencies and the White House to collaborate on policies and programs to support entrepreneurship and commercialization._0aa298aa-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054.3Federal AgenciesThe White HouseNACIESupport the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE), which is chaired by the Secretary of Commerce._0aa299b8-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054.4NACIE BOARDDR. MICHAEL BURCHAMCO-CHAIR -- President, CEO, The Nashville Entrepreneur Center, TNJAMES CLEMENTSCO-CHAIR -- President, Clemson University, SC MARIE LYNCHCO-CHAIR -- President, CEO, Skills for Chicagoland's Future, ILLUIS ARBULUDirector, Samsung Open Innovation Center, CAROBERT ATKINSONPresident, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, DCBRIAN BALASIAFounder, CEO, Digerati, Inc., MIBARBARA BRYCOO, Blackbird Ventures, CALOU ANNE BYNUMFounder, Long Beach Community College, Office of College Advancement, CAGREG CANGIALOSICEO, MissionTix.com, LLC, MDSTEVE CASEChairman, CEO, Revolution, DCFRED DEDRICKExecutive Director, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, MACHRISTINE FURSTOSSTechnical Director & Senior Executive, General Electric Company, Manufacturing & Materials, NYWILLIAM GENERETTPresident, CEO, Urban Innovation21, PAJULIE GOONEWARDENEVice Chancellor for Innovation & Strategic Investment, Diaceutics Chairwoman, AMA Board, MBI BoardKELLY GRIERVice Chair, Talent, Ernst & Young, ILMARY ANN GUERRACEO, BioAccel, AZROBERT HOHMANCo-Founder, CEO, Glassdoor, Inc., CALILA IBRAHIMChief Business Officer at Coursera and Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, CATIFFANY KARPExecutive Director, Global Center for Medical Innovation, GADAVID KENNEYPresident, Executive Director, Oregon Best, ORCHAUNCY LENNONManaging Director and Head of Workforce Initiatives, Global Philanthropy, JP Morgan Chase, NYSETHURAMAN PANCHANATHANSenior Vice President, Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development (OKED), AZLAURA POWERSCo-Founder, Executive Director, CODE2040, CAERIC SEVERSONSenior VP, Global Talent Solutions, Gap Inc., CAROHIT SHUKLAFounder, CEO, Larta Institute, CAAMY STURSBERGExecutive Director, Blackstone Charitable Foundation, NYSTEPHEN TANGPresident, CEO & Director, University City Science Center, PARegional Innovation StrategiesLead the $15 million 2014 Regional Innovation Strategies Program competition._0aa29ad0-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8054.5Disaster RecoveryFacilitate delivery of Federal economic development assistance to local governments for long-term community economic recovery planning, reconstruction, redevelopment and resiliency._0aa29c24-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8055FEMAThe National Disaster Recovery Framework ... is a guide that enables effective recovery support to disaster-impacted States, Tribes, Territorial and local jurisdictions. It provides a flexible structure that enables disaster recovery managers to operate in a unified and collaborative manner. It also focuses on how best to restore, redevelop and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural and environmental fabric of the community and build a more resilient Nation. The National Disaster Recovery Framework is consistent with the vision set forth in the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD)-8, National Preparedness, which directs FEMA to work with interagency partners to publish a recovery framework. It is the first framework published under the Presidential Policy Directive reflecting the core recovery capabilities by supporting operational plans as an integral element of a National Preparedness System. It is a first step toward the PPD-8 objective to achieve a shared understanding and a common, integrated perspective across all mission areas - Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery - in order to achieve unity of effort and make the most effective use of the Nation's limited resources.Department of CommerceWithin the context of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), EDA serves as the Coordinating Agency on behalf of the Department of Commerce for the Economic Recovery Support Function (RSF) to coordinate the activities of a diverse group of partner agencies supporting recovery in disaster-impacted communities. The activities consist primarily of leveraging existing resources and authorities to make a positive impact for communities affected by disasters. For example, the Economic RSF can convene teams and deploy multi-disciplinary technical assistance teams from its Federal partners to assist communities. The information gathered from these teams can be shared more readily, providing a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the economic recovery issues. Also, when funding becomes available to support disaster recovery implementation, EDA's role as the RSF Coordinating Agency under the NDRF can be instrumental in identifying opportunities to leverage available resources better in support of community economic recovery.EDA's role in disaster recovery is to facilitate delivery of Federal economic development assistance to local governments for long-term community economic recovery planning, reconstruction, redevelopment and resiliency.Information SharingCoordinate with its Commerce Department bureaus and other agencies engaged in disaster recovery efforts to share information and data on the ramifications of the disaster._0aa29d50-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8055.1Following a disaster, EDA responds by first coordinating with its sister bureaus and other agencies engaged in disaster recovery efforts to share information and data on the ramifications of the disaster.OutreachReach out to the economic development practitioner network to collect on-the-ground information on the economic impacts of the disaster event._0aa29e86-96ed-11e4-b345-7d322349f8055.2Economic Development Districts (EDD) District OrganizationsEconomic Development PractitionersIn addition, EDA reaches out to its economic development practitioner network (particularly its network of Economic Development Districts (EDD) District Organizations) to collect on-the-ground information on the economic impacts of the disaster event.2015-01-07http://www.eda.gov/about/index.htmOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net