NADO members are asked to send the following draft email to your member(s)
of Congress in the House of Representatives.

Dear [Representative _____],

I am writing to voice my strong support for the reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Initially introduced as Senate Bill 3891, this measure passed through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with bipartisan support. Most recently, the bill has been incorporated in its entirety as Senate Amendment 3103 to the Reed-Wicker Manager’s Package of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Senate Bill 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), which would make vital improvements and reforms to EDA’s core programs, enhancing its ability to address critical national priorities such as disaster preparedness and mitigation, workforce development, broadband expansion, small business support, and rural community development. This bill would also modernize and update various elements of EDA’s statute, making the agency more effective and impactful in supporting projects in local communities. 

Specifically, the following provisions of the EDA reauthorization proposal that would be most impactful for local organizations like mine are as follows. S. 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would:

• Increase the authorized funding level for EDA Partnership Planning, which is critical to helping communities like mine plan and implement subsequent EDA investments, and to helping enhance and protect the capacity of local organizations like mine.
• Allow EDA to increase the federal share up to 100 percent for Partnership Planning grants. This is particularly important since it is often more burdensome for communities to come up with local matching funds for planning than for projects.

Additionally, S. 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would:

• Improve and reauthorize many of EDA’s core traditional programs including Public Works; Partnership Planning; Training, Research, and Technical Assistance; Economic Adjustment Assistance; and Assistance to Coal Communities;
• Enhance or expand EDA’s ability to make impactful investments into high-speed broadband, disaster recovery, workforce training, and predevelopment; and
• Revise cost sharing requirements for other EDA investments. Specifically, it would change EDA’s federal cost share from 50 percent to 60 percent. This would make it less burdensome for rural, small, and resource-challenged communities to apply and compete for EDA funding.

These provisions would have immensely positive impacts for communities across the country. 

Reauthorizing EDA is also crucial to protecting national economic security and enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness globally. EDA investments help foster resilient and diversified local economies, support American businesses, strengthen workforce development, and enhance critical infrastructure including broadband, all of which underpin national economic security. EDA has not been reauthorized in 20 years, but reauthorization is essential to keep pace with our nation’s rapidly changing economic conditions and security interests.

Additionally, in [my town/city/community], EDA investments have been particularly important in helping to support and address [specific projects/local needs].

For these reasons, reauthorizing EDA this year is important. Therefore, as the House and Senate work to finalize an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – or on any other end-of-year legislative package – I encourage you to support the passage of the bipartisan reauthorization of the EDA.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Organization