CEDS Outreach & Communication Materials for EDDs

How well is your organization communicating to its stakeholders about what the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is and how it supports your region?  The most effective CEDS are ones developed with the input, creativity, and enthusiasm of a wide cross-section of partners that are fully invested in the process.   However, if this undertaking is framed merely as writing a document only for the region to become eligible for federal funding, you are losing a real opportunity to motivate partners and sustain interest in a transformative region-wide conversation.

As the primary entity tasked with writing the CEDS, your organization has the opportunity to foster authentic dialogue that incorporates diverse voices and perspectives.  The following materials were created to assist in your outreach and communication efforts when explaining the CEDS process to stakeholders and funders.  The first one-page document is a ready-made concise overview of what the CEDS is, how it can drive regional economic development, and key characteristics of an effective CEDS.  The second document is a customizable template that organizations can edit to feature specific information relating to their own CEDS, including project examples, the planning and implementation timeline, and contact information for key staff members.

These resources can be used individually or as a front-and-back document that can be shared with a variety of audiences, including: CEDS Committee members, Board of Directors, elected officials, state and federal agencies, Chambers of Commerce, business owners, citizens, the press, and other important stakeholders and interested groups.  This information and language can be adapted in any way your organization wants to use it to support its own CEDS outreach through printed hard copies, posting on a website, or shared through social media.  The documents can be downloaded below and modified in any way that best serves your needs.

This document is a concise overview of what the CEDS is, how it can drive regional economic development, and key characteristics of an effective CEDS.
This document is a ready-made concise overview of what the CEDS is, how it can drive regional economic development, and key characteristics of an effective CEDS.

Download in Adobe PDF format or in Microsoft Word format to customize

This document is a customizable template that can be edited to feature your region's specific information, including CEDS project examples, the planning and implementation timeline, and staff contact information
This document is a customizable template that can be edited to feature your region’s specific information, including CEDS project examples, the planning and implementation timeline, and staff contact information

Download in Microsoft Word format to customize


Any questions about these resources or need assistance formatting them to create your own outreach materials?  Contact NADO Research Foundation Program Manager Brett Schwartz at [email protected].

These resources were developed through NADO’s Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions program, funded through a generous grant from the US Economic Development Administration.

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2023 Impact Awards

The primary applicant must be a NADO member. Project partners, both NADO and non-members, can be recognized under "Project Partners" below.

Primary Project Contact:
This person will be the designated point of contact for all future awards-related correspondence.

Organization Address

Project Location (if different from Organization Address)

Executive Director

Additional Organizational Information
Please upload your organization's logo which will be included on the winning project award certificate.

Project Information
This title will be printed on the award certificate for winning projects and in all 2022 NADO Impact Award materials and cannot be changed.

Project Summary & Questions
Please craft clear, thoughtful, and engaging responses to the following questions. Use the following sections to tell us how your project has made an impact, such as its use of creative funding mechanisms, efforts to create efficiencies or reduce costs, unique partnership models, and emphasis on building resilience and/or enhancing your region's quality of life.

For award-winning projects, the information provided below may be used verbatim to inform project descriptions that will be published in the 2023 NADO Impact Awards materials and included on the NADO website.

Please submit at least one photo showing your project in action. Please keep file size to a minimum (<2Mb) and use JPEG format. If uploading multiple files, ZIP files prior to submitting. If you have trouble uploading images they can be directly emailed to Brett Schwartz at [email protected] Include the project title they correspond to in the subject line of your email.

Note: Submitted photos may be used in NADO Impact Awards materials and in other NADO published materials with credit to your organization. Please also consider submitting photos for NADO's 2023 Photo Contest, which will be held this summer.


CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION - PLEASE BE PATIENT! IF YOU DO NOT SEE A CONFIRMATION, YOUR APPLICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED.
Your application is not submitted until you are directed to a confirmation page. If you have any questions or are unsure if your application has been submitted, please contact Brett Schwartz at [email protected]

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Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.

Joe has thirty-one years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.

McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.

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