HR&A Advisors, Inc.

Written by Bret Collazzi and Dorraine Duncan   Last month, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced six new programs that will invest nearly $3 billion in regional growth, economic recovery, and workforce development over the next five years. Funded through the American Rescue Plan and collectively known as “Investing in America’s Communities,” the programs vary in funding amounts, goals, eligibility criteria, and application timelines.   The below “cheat sheet” is designed to help communities assess which of the following six programs align best with local goals:   Build Back Better Regional Challenge – $1 billion Good Jobs Challenge – $500 million Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation – $750 million Economic Adjustment Assistance – $500 million Indigenous Communities – $100 million Statewide Planning, Research, and Network – $90 million   For all programs, unless otherwise noted, funding can flow to any EDA “eligible enti...

Written by Bret Collazzi , Kate Collignon , and Eric Rothman   Last month, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) launched one of the largest and most ambitious efforts in its history. With support from a $3 billion allocation in the American Rescue Plan, EDA created six new grant programs that drive regional job growth, workforce development, tourism recovery, and more.   The largest of those programs and the first to accept applications is the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge , designed to strengthen regional industry clusters and create high-wage jobs in sectors that are resilient to future economic shocks and that reinforce America’s global competitiveness , from cleantech and artificial intelligence to life sciences and ag tech. EDA will award up to 30 regions nationwide as much as $75 million each to invest in projects that accelerate growth in these industries – anything from traditional infrastructure and planning studies to entrepreneurs...