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In October 2022 with the support of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) embarked on a five-year effort to build and nurture the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP). Through the EDD CoP, NADO RF and its partners will provide tools, resources, and networking opportunities for EDD staff to strengthen organizational capacity and better guide regions towards becoming more competitive, resilient, and equitable.Â
Economic Development Districts (EDDs) are multi-jurisdictional planning and economic development agencies federally designated by EDA. There are over 400 EDDs across the country that encourage economic development planning and project implementation in distressed urban, suburban, and rural regions. EDDs open the door for local communities to grant and loan funding opportunities, administrative and technical assistance, and access to data and technology resources. Last updated: May 2023Â
As part of the EDD CoP, NADO RF has created this interactive EDD map that provides information about each EDD’s service area, website, contact information, and EDA regional office. It also includes two search functions: one that allows the user to quickly identify which EDD serves any address or location and one to search the map by the name of the EDD. Click here to access the map. Â
The EDDs in Action Case Studies Series demonstrates the wide breadth of programs, projects, and initiatives EDDs support and implement to improve their regions, making them more resilient, prosperous, and better prepared for the future. Click here to access the ever-growing library of short case studies, written to inspire and show the possibilities for how EDDs can leverage federal and state funding to support a variety of initiatives across the regions they serve.
2023 Southwest Region Economic Development Association (SWREDA) Conference
Several EDD CoP sessions were offered at this May 2023 conference, which convened staff from EDDs, Tribal Planning Grantees, University Centers, Revolving Loan Funds, and others engaged in economic development across the five-state EDA Austin region. Click here to access presentation materials.  Â
2023 Economic Development Conference for the EDA Denver Region
Several EDD CoP sessions were offered at this April 2023 conference, which convened staff from EDDs, Tribal Planning Grantees, University Centers, Revolving Loan Funds, and others engaged in economic development across the ten-state EDA Denver region. Click here to access presentation materials.Â
EDA Seattle EDD Regional Roundtable
The NADO Research Foundation and EDA Seattle Regional Office hosted an EDD Regional Roundtable in March 2023 that brought together EDD and EDA staff for training, networking, and sharing opportunities and challenges facing EDDs across the EDA Seattle region.  Click here to learn more and download the presentation slides. Â
An Afternoon with the Districts
This event in March 2023 brought together nearly 70 participants representing EDDs, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, EDA community of practice partners, and other national organizations for an afternoon of networking, training, and conversations that explored how best to position EDDs for success in achieving regional economic development and resilience. Click here to learn more and download the presentation slides. Â
EDA and EDDs: Partners in Regional Economic Development
During this session at the 2023 NADO Washington Conference, EDA and EDD staff reflected on opportunities for collaboration, the latest updates on CEDS guidelines, and how EDDs can effectively engage with an array of federal partners and programs. Click here to download the presentation slides. Â
Data Deep Dive for EDDs: A Closer Look at Argonne National Laboratory’s NERDE and EDCI Tools
This webinar demonstrated how the National Economic Resilience Data Explorer (NERDE) and the Economic Development Capacity Index (EDCI) tools can be utilized to support your CEDS and other regional planning efforts. Click here to view the webinar recording and download presentation slides.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Webinar for EDDsÂ
In support of the EDD CoP, the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) hosted a webinar with Trent Frazier, Deputy Assistant Director for the Stakeholder Engagement Division of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In the webinar, Frazier discussed what CISA resources and materials are available to EDDs. Click here to view the recording.
Plugging Into the Future of Electric Vehicle InfrastructureÂ
This webinar showcased available funding, capacity building opportunities, and resources available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) at the Department of Transportation and Department of Energy to support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Click here to view the webinar recording and download presentation slides.
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The EDD CoP will provide a forum for EDD leadership and staff to access the latest information, best practices, resources, and data to ensure districts are well-positioned to lead their regions in supporting with pandemic recovery and building long-term resilience to other shocks, stresses, and disruptions.
The EDD CoP will provide in-person and virtual training, capacity building, and networking opportunities for EDD staff to learn from each other, federal partners, and subject matter experts. Programming will offer useful and responsive resources through a mix of educational platforms and deliver up-to-date training and networking services to EDDs, guiding them on a path to support regional recovery and prosperity.
The EDD CoP consists of five program areas, outlined below:
The NADO Research Foundation has partnered with three organizations to deliver the EDD CoP, each bringing unique expertise and a valuable perspective to the field of regional economic development: National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), University Economic Development Association (UEDA), and First Nations Development Institute.
The EDD CoP is made possible through an award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (ED22HDQ3070106). Â The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the participants, trainers, and authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
© 2022 National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the NADO Research Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
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.