EDA updates CEDS guidelines

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced Jan. 21 that it has updated its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) Content Guidelines to help communities across America maximize their ability to attract investment to Opportunity Zones. The new recommendations outline how communities can further promote the economic attractiveness of their region. EDA’s CEDS is a regionally-owned, collaborative planning process designed to build capacity and guide the economic prosperity and resiliency of an area or region. It also serves as a vehicle for local governments, institutes of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation about what efforts could drive economic development in the region. To better position themselves for investment through Opportunity Zones, communities need to have a strong economic development plan in place that can send a signal to the private sector that the area has established a clear vision for the future, identified its important assets and challenges, and engaged key stakeholders. For more about EDA’s CEDS planning process and to access the new CEDS content guidelines, visit: www.eda.gov/CEDS.