EDA Philadelphia FY 2016–FY 2019 Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program

The EDA (Economic Development Administration) Philadelphia has announced a grant program for 2016-2019 to assist local organizations and tribes with economic development planning and technical aid. The goal is to support the creation of regional economic development plans that will enable economic prosperity and resilience.

Two schemes are included within the program: the Planning Program and the Local Technical Assistance Program.

Under the Planning Program, eligible recipients are given the tools to create robust regional economic development plans. Their purpose is to guide and oversee the economic growth and robustness of the designated area. One primary aspect of this program is Partnership Planning Investments, which are specifically designed to facilitate the planning, implementation, revision, or replacement of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS). These strategies are essential in setting and prioritizing the economic objectives of each recipient’s region.

The EDA provides Partnership Planning Grants to enable both Indian Tribes and specific planning organizations such as District Organizations to create and implement relevant CEDS. In addition, these grants are used by the aforementioned recipients for Short Term and State Planning Investments. These investments are primarily designed to guide the creation and retention of high-quality jobs, especially for those who are unemployed or underemployed in the nation's most economically disadvantaged regions.

Meanwhile, the Local Technical Assistance Program aims to bolster the capacity of local or state organizations, institutions of higher education, and other eligible recipients. It intends to promote effective economic development programs through projects like feasibility analyses and impact studies. This program is instrumental in strengthening the ability to undertake and boost the efficacy of economic development programs.