Opportunity Information: Apply for EDA021908
Apply for EDA021908
- The Economic Development Administration in the community development other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Economic Development Assistance Programs Availability of Funds under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.300 Investments for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities 11.302 Economic DevelopmentSupport for Planning Organizations 11.303 Economic DevelopmentTechnical Assistance 11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance 11.313 Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 19, 2008 and posted on Feb 19, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals under this competitive soliciation are accepted on a continuing basis and applications are invited and processed as received. Generally, two months are required for EDA to reach a final decision after receipt of a complete application that meets all requirements.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $249,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Special district governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education County governments.
- Pursuant to PWEDA, eligible applicants for and eligible recipients of EDA investment assistance include a(n) (i) District Organization (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes (iii) State, a city or other political subdivision of a State, including a special purpose unit of a State or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions (iv) institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education or (v) public or private non profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State. See section 3 of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. 3122) and 13 C.F.R. 300.3. Projects eligible for Public Works or Economic Adjustment investment assistance include those projects located in regions meeting Special Need criteria (as defined in 13 C.F.R. 300.3), as set forth in section VIII.B. of this announcement. For profit, private sector entities do not qualify for investment assistance under PWEDA. Nonetheless, under its Local Technical Assistance Program or National Technical Assistance Program, EDA may make an award to a for profit organization to carry out specific research or for other purposes set forth in 13 C.F.R. 306.1. See also 42 U.S.C. 3147. EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly to individuals or to for profit entities seeking to start or expand a private business. Such requests may be referred to State or local agencies, or to non profit economic development organizations serving the region in which the project will be located.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Economic Development Assistance Programs Availability of Funds under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) is a discretionary grant and cooperative agreement opportunity from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). The overall purpose is to advance EDA's mission of strengthening regional economies by promoting innovation, competitiveness, and long-term capacity for growth, especially in places facing persistent economic distress such as high unemployment and low per capita income. In practice, EDA uses these funds to help communities create the conditions that attract private investment, support entrepreneurship, and build more resilient regional economies that can compete nationally and globally.
Under this announcement (Funding Opportunity Number EDA021908), EDA solicits proposals tied to four core PWEDA program areas: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Public Works funding is aimed at construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities that directly support economic outcomes, such as generating or retaining private sector jobs, attracting private capital, and improving regional competitiveness. The emphasis is on practical, job-linked infrastructure that helps regions modernize and position themselves for growth, including upgrades that make a community more attractive to new industry, support technology-led development, accelerate business creation, and help regions take advantage of opportunities related to free trade and shifting markets.
The Planning Program is designed to strengthen the institutions and strategies that guide regional economic development. A central focus is support for planning organizations, including EDA-designated District Organizations and federally recognized Indian Tribes, to develop, implement, revise, or replace Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). These strategies function as a roadmap for coordinated regional investment and are meant to translate local priorities into actionable projects. Planning funds can also support related short-term planning efforts and state plans, with a stated priority on creating and retaining higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for unemployed and underemployed workers in the most economically distressed areas.
The Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program addresses a different but common barrier in distressed communities: gaps in information, expertise, and analytic capacity that can prevent local leaders from making strong economic development decisions. LTA supports targeted technical help, research, and other forms of assistance that improve decision-making and project readiness in the public and nonprofit sectors. This announcement notes an important detail: while the overall notice references multiple PWEDA programs, the competitive solicitation itself covers Local Technical Assistance only, meaning applicants pursuing LTA support are responding to the competition described here, while other program areas may be funded through related EDA processes.
Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) is EDA's flexible response tool for communities dealing with significant economic disruption, whether from sudden shocks (like major layoffs, plant closures, natural disasters affecting a key industry, or abrupt shifts in trade) or slower-moving structural decline over time. EAA can support a broad mix of technical assistance, planning, and infrastructure activities that help regions stabilize and reposition their economies. The intent is to meet communities where they are, support recovery, and help build a more diverse and durable economic base.
The funding opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers that reflect the different funding tracks: 11.300 (Public Works and Economic Development Facilities), 11.302 (Support for Planning Organizations), 11.303 (Technical Assistance), 11.307 (Economic Adjustment Assistance), and 11.313 (Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms). While the announcement explains EDA's role in administering Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms through a national network of Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers, it also makes clear that the PWEDA investment assistance described here is generally focused on public and nonprofit-led regional development activities rather than direct business subsidies.
Estimated total funding for the announcement is listed at $249,100,000, and cost sharing or matching is required, meaning recipients generally must contribute a non-federal share consistent with PWEDA and EDA regulations. Applications are accepted on a continuing basis rather than through a single deadline, and EDA indicates that it generally needs about two months to reach a final decision after receiving a complete application that meets all requirements. This rolling intake structure matters for applicants because project timing, readiness, and completeness can affect how quickly an award decision can be made.
Eligibility is broad but clearly defined around public-serving entities and nonprofit partners. Eligible applicants include states; cities, townships, counties, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as well as other qualifying public or private nonprofits). PWEDA also recognizes District Organizations and consortia arrangements (such as multiple political subdivisions or multiple institutions of higher education applying together). A key restriction is that for-profit private sector entities do not qualify for PWEDA investment assistance, and EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly to individuals or to for-profit entities seeking to start or expand a private business. However, there is a narrow exception noted for technical assistance: under the Local Technical Assistance or National Technical Assistance authorities, EDA may fund a for-profit organization to carry out specific research or other eligible technical assistance purposes under applicable regulations.
Programmatically, EDA's investments are intended to concentrate in areas demonstrating economic distress or special need, and for certain investments (particularly Public Works and Economic Adjustment), projects generally must be located in regions meeting defined "Special Need" criteria referenced in EDA regulations. Overall, the opportunity is structured to help distressed regions strengthen their infrastructure, planning capacity, and ability to respond to economic disruption, with the end goal of improving competitiveness, increasing private investment, and creating better job opportunities.
For access issues or direct questions, the announcement provides a contact point at EDA: Jamie Lipsey, phone 202-482-3467, email jlipsey@eda.doc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant and cooperative agreement opportunity under the Economic Development Assistance Programs authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA), administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Funding Opportunity Number is EDA021908.
2) What is EDA trying to achieve with this program?
The overall purpose is to advance EDA's mission of strengthening regional economies by promoting innovation, competitiveness, and long-term capacity for growth, especially in places experiencing persistent economic distress (such as high unemployment and low per capita income). In practice, EDA funds are used to help communities create conditions that attract private investment, support entrepreneurship, and build resilient regional economies that can compete nationally and globally.
3) Which PWEDA program areas are mentioned in this announcement?
The announcement describes four core PWEDA program areas: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance.
4) Does this competitive solicitation cover all four program areas?
No. The notice highlights that, while it references multiple PWEDA programs, the competitive solicitation itself covers Local Technical Assistance (LTA) only. Applicants seeking LTA support are responding to the competition described here, while other program areas may be funded through related EDA processes.
5) What kinds of projects fit under Public Works?
Public Works funding is aimed at construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities that directly support economic outcomes. The notice emphasizes job-linked infrastructure that helps generate or retain private sector jobs, attract private capital, and improve regional competitiveness, including modernization efforts that make a community more attractive to new industry, support technology-led development, accelerate business creation, and help regions respond to opportunities related to free trade and shifting markets.
6) What does the Planning Program support?
The Planning Program is designed to strengthen the institutions and strategies that guide regional economic development. A central focus is supporting planning organizations (including EDA-designated District Organizations and federally recognized Indian Tribes) to develop, implement, revise, or replace Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). Planning funds can also support related short-term planning efforts and state plans, with a stated priority on creating and retaining higher-skill, higher-wage jobs, particularly for unemployed and underemployed workers in the most economically distressed areas.
7) What is a CEDS in this context?
A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is described as a roadmap for coordinated regional investment that translates local priorities into actionable projects.
8) What does Local Technical Assistance (LTA) fund?
The Local Technical Assistance Program supports targeted technical help, research, and other forms of assistance that address gaps in information, expertise, and analytic capacity in distressed communities. The goal is to improve decision-making and project readiness in the public and nonprofit sectors.
9) What is Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA)?
Economic Adjustment Assistance is EDA's flexible response tool for communities experiencing significant economic disruption. It can address sudden shocks (such as major layoffs, plant closures, natural disasters affecting a key industry, or abrupt shifts in trade) as well as slower, structural economic decline. EAA can support a mix of technical assistance, planning, and infrastructure activities intended to help regions stabilize, recover, and build a more diverse and durable economic base.
10) What CFDA program numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers reflecting different funding tracks: 11.300 (Public Works and Economic Development Facilities), 11.302 (Support for Planning Organizations), 11.303 (Technical Assistance), 11.307 (Economic Adjustment Assistance), and 11.313 (Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms).
11) Is this program intended to provide direct subsidies to private businesses?
No. The announcement explains that PWEDA investment assistance is generally focused on public and nonprofit-led regional development activities rather than direct business subsidies.
12) Are for-profit companies eligible to apply for PWEDA investment assistance?
Generally, no. For-profit private sector entities do not qualify for PWEDA investment assistance, and EDA is not authorized to provide grants directly to individuals or to for-profit entities seeking to start or expand a private business.
13) Is there any situation where a for-profit organization can be funded?
Yes, but it is narrow. The announcement notes that under the Local Technical Assistance or National Technical Assistance authorities, EDA may fund a for-profit organization to carry out specific research or other eligible technical assistance purposes under applicable regulations.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include states; cities, townships, counties, and special district governments; federally recognized tribal governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (as well as other qualifying public or private nonprofits). PWEDA also recognizes District Organizations and consortia arrangements (for example, multiple political subdivisions or multiple institutions of higher education applying together).
15) Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing (a non-federal match). Recipients generally must contribute a non-federal share consistent with PWEDA and EDA regulations.
16) How much funding is expected to be available?
The estimated total funding listed for the announcement is $249,100,000.
17) Is there a single application deadline?
No. Applications are accepted on a continuing (rolling) basis rather than through a single deadline.
18) How long does EDA usually take to make a decision?
EDA indicates it generally needs about two months to reach a final decision after receiving a complete application that meets all requirements.
19) Why does application completeness matter?
Because the announcement uses a rolling intake and EDA estimates a decision timeline after a complete application is received, project readiness and completeness can affect how quickly an award decision can be made.
20) Are projects expected to be located in economically distressed areas?
Yes. EDA investments are intended to concentrate in areas demonstrating economic distress or special need.
21) Are there location-based requirements tied to "Special Need" criteria?
For certain investments (particularly Public Works and Economic Adjustment), projects generally must be located in regions meeting defined "Special Need" criteria referenced in EDA regulations.
22) What is the best point of contact for questions or access issues?
The announcement provides the following contact at EDA: Jamie Lipsey, phone 202-482-3467, email jlipsey@eda.doc.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development
Next opportunity: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida Caribbean CESU
Previous opportunity: Conservation Innovation Grants Caribbean Area Component FY 2008
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for EDA021908
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (EDA021908) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Economic Development Assistance Programs Apply for EDA10012008EDAP Funding Number: EDA10012008EDAP Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Community Development Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Supplemental Appropriations Disaster Relief Opportunity Apply for EDA10012008DISASTERSUPPLEMENTAL Funding Number: EDA10012008DISASTERSUPPLEMENTAL Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Community Development Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Regional Innovation Systems Research Project Apply for EDA10312008RESEARCH Funding Number: EDA10312008RESEARCH Agency: Economic Development Administration Category: Community Development Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Regional Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "EDA021908", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.