NADO Advocacy Blog

On behalf of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), we are proud to join in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). For six decades, EDA has played a vital role in advancing economic opportunity, building resilient communities, and fostering regional innovation across the United States.

On August 12, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education have released a coordinated national workforce strategy designed to align training programs with current labor market needs and technological changes.

On August 7, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking,” which directs federal agencies to strengthen oversight over the discretionary grant process to ensure grants advance American interests, reflect presidential priorities, and eliminate funding for activities deemed inconsistent with those values.

On July 29, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a markup of the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025, and passed it out of committee unanimously 24-0. This was the first time in over a decade that Senate Banking held a markup on a housing package.

On June 4, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for their Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program. With approximately $1.45 billion in available funding, the program is designed to support a wide range of economic recovery efforts in disaster-affected areas, helping localities not only recover but also transform their economies for long-term resilience.

The EDA Stakeholder Coalition sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to reject the proposal to eliminate the EDA in Fiscal Year 2026.

On May 16, 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce has rescinded the latest six funding awards previously announced under the Tech Hubs Program and will be reopening the application process, with certain modifications. The previously awarded projects, announced in January 2025, were described by Secretary Lutnick as being “rushed, opaque, and unfair.” He noted that the awards were made without available funds and were based on “outdated applications, lacking proper competition.”

For the first time in 20 years, Congress has reauthorized the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). On January 4 2025, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367) was signed into law, following its passage in the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. The reauthorization of the EDA will strengthen and protect EDA’s programs and will enhance key initiatives that are vital to the success of NADO members and Economic Development Districts across the country.

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) voted to advance the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S. 3891) by voice vote on March 12. This legislation, if enacted, would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the first time in nearly 20 years.

As August recess approaches, Congress continues to work through the annual appropriations process for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. While some progress has been made, there is still a long road ahead to avoid a government shutdown and ensure stable funding for key federal programs.