SLEDS Database
Comparing each state’s strategic plan with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for each local economic development districts (EDDs) within the respective state is a good first step in understanding strategic alignment. Findings and a searchable database can be accessed here:
EDA’s $1 Million Statewide Planning Grants
Through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is supporting states in economic planning efforts by allocating $59 million in grants through the Statewide Planning, Research & Networks program. To better understand how states are using these funds, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), in partnership with the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network, conducted a survey of states during the summer of 2022 to learn how the $1 million grant funds were used. A blog summarizing the results can be found here. You can see how grants were spent at the regional level, below:
- Atlanta EDA Region
- Austin EDA Region
- Chicago EDA Region
- Denver EDA Region
- Philadelphia EDA Region
- Seattle EDA Region
Best Practices Guide
CREC and partners are preparing a best practice guide to inform efforts aimed at increasing alignment, collaboration and co-investment between states and local EDDs. The guide is expected to be available in early 2023.
USACompetes
USACompetes.com was created in 2017 and provides economic developers with the resources to develop an international engagement strategy for your region and to be ready to compete in the global economy. The site was recently updated and refreshed reflecting an increased emphasis on global connections in state and EDD CEDS.
Statewide Planning and Tourism Grants
CREC conducted research into how states were planning on using the Statewide Planning Grants and Tourism Grants that were awarded as part of the 2021 ARPA legislation. One focus of the Statewide Planning Grant survey was the coordination between states and local EDOs. A blog on the results is available here.
The materials included on these State-Local Alignment webpages were prepared by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness using Federal funds under award ED21HDQ3070060 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.