Economic Development Digest, A Publication of the NADO Research Foundation

Maps and Stats

Regional Development Organizations

There are a total of 546 regional development organizations in the US, including 349 Economic Development Administration (EDA) economic development districts and 71 Appalachian Regional Commission local development districts.
Map produced by the NADO Research Foundation with technical assistance from the EDA Planning and Development Assistance Division.

Profile of the Typical Regional Development Organization
Based on Results of the 2000 NADO Research Foundation Survey
Profile Characteristic Median

Founding Date (Year) 1969

Regional Population 220,650

County Population Range 10,001 - 25,000

Population of Largest City in Region 39,000

Region’s Geographic Area 4,151 square miles

Number of Counties in Region 6

Number Cities/Towns in Region 33

Staff Size 16 employees: 14 Full-Time,
2 Part-Time, 18 Volunteers

Board Size 28 Members: 18 elected officials,
3 minorities, 8 - 9 private
citizens, 2 state officials,
2 other persons, such as
gubernatorial appointees

Number of Advisory Committees 3

Budget Range $1,000,001 - $1,500,000

Sample is representative of 64 percent of regional development organizations in the US.

Profile of the Typical Regional Development Organization
Based on Results of the 2000 NADO Research Foundation Survey
Profile Characteristic	Median

Founding Date (Year)	1969
Regional Population	220,650
County Population Range	10,001 - 25,000
Population of Largest City in Region	39,000
Region’s Geographic Area	4,151 square miles
Number of Counties in Region	6
Number Cities/Towns in Region	33
Staff Size	16 employees: 14 Full-Time, 2 Part-Time, 18 Volunteers
Board Size	28 Members: 18 elected officials, 3 minorities, 8 - 9 private citizens, 2 state officials, 2 other persons, such as gubernatorial appointees
Number of Advisory Committees	3
Budget Range	$1,000,001 - $1,500,000
Sample is representative of 64 percent of regional development organizations in the US.

Percentages* of Regional Development Organizations
Administering Agency Programs

* Percentages represent medians or midpoint of range of responses.
** ARC covers a maximum of 24 percent of the existing regional
development organization population among 13 southeastern states.
Source: NADO Research Foundation 2000 Survey;
Results represent 64 percent of total regional development organizations in US.

292 Regional Development Organizations Reported Administering
the Following Federal Programs Between 1998 and 2000:
Department/Agency Program Type

Department of Agriculture Community development / Rural
housing service / Rural business &
cooperative services / Rural utilities
service

Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration Census data affiliates
Planning grants / Public Works /
Technical Assistance / Economic
Adjustment / Revolving Loan Fund

Department of Health and Human
Services Aging (Area Agencies on Aging)

Department of Housing and Urban
Development CDBG/ HOME / Urban EZ/EC /
Rural housing

Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act

Department of Transportation MPO / RPO / Transportation
enhancements / Rural transit / Job
access & reverse commute / TCSP /
ITS / National Scenic Byway / Transit
for elderly

Appalachian Regional Commission LDD, RLF

Environmental Protection Agency Clean water / Safe drinking water /
Brownfields

Federal Emergency Management Agency Project Impact / Flood mapping /
Flood insurance

Small Business Administration SBA 504 / SBA 7(a) / Microloan

Miscellaneous NTIA TOP/ CSBG /CDFI

Farm Scene at Edge of Town, Fairfield, Pennsylvania

292 Regional Development Organizations Reported Administering
the Following Federal Programs Between 1998 and 2000:
Department/Agency	Program Type
Department of Agriculture	Community development / Rural housing service / Rural business & cooperative services / Rural utilities service
Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration	Census data affiliates Planning grants / Public Works / Technical Assistance / Economic Adjustment / Revolving Loan Fund
Department of Health and Human Services	Aging (Area Agencies on Aging)
Department of Housing and Urban Development	CDBG/ HOME / Urban EZ/EC / Rural housing
Department of Labor	Workforce Investment Act
Department of Transportation	MPO / RPO / Transportation enhancements / Rural transit / Job access & reverse commute / TCSP / ITS / National Scenic Byway / Transit for elderly
Appalachian Regional Commission	LDD, RLF
Environmental Protection Agency	Clean water / Safe drinking water / Brownfields
Federal Emergency Management Agency	Project Impact / Flood mapping / Flood insurance
Small Business Administration	SBA 504 / SBA 7(a) / Microloan
Miscellaneous	NTIA TOP/ CSBG /CDFI

Farm Scene at Edge of Town, Fairfield, Pennsylvania

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