packet innovation workshop charleston wv nov...

Workshop Agenda

Charleston, West Virginia

November 18-20, 2015

#ReadyToDiversify

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 2

Welcome WelcometotheInnovationChallengeWorkshopforCoal-ReliantCommunities!TheNationalAssociationofCounties(NACo)andtheNationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizations(NADO)ResearchFoundation,withsupportfromtheU.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration(EDA),arehostingthisworkshoptoassistcountiesandregionsthatareexperiencingeconomicchallengesduetothecontractionofthecoalindustry.Congratulationsonasuccessfulapplication,andthankyoufortakingthetimetojoinushereinCharleston.Theaimofthisworkshop–thethirdofaserieshostedin2015–istosupportcommunityleaderswithcreatingeconomicdiversificationstrategiesthatexpandopportunitiesinyourcountiesandregions.Eachteamwillwalkawayfromtheworkshopwitharoadmapofimplementableactionsandatimelinetostartpursuingonceyougethome.NACoandtheNADOResearchFoundationarecommittedtoprovidingyouwithresourcestosupportyoureconomicgoalslongterm.ThatiswhyNACoandNADO,withsupportfromEDA,havedevelopedtheResourcesforTransitioningEconomieswebsite–anewresourceportalcontaininginformationoneconomicdiversification.Thesitefeaturestools,reports,casestudiesandotherresourcesproducedbypublic,privateandnon-profitorganizations,andcanbeaccessedandusedbyanycounty,communityorregionseekingtodiversifyandstrengthenitslocaleconomy.Toaccessthesite,pleasevisit:www.DiversifyingEconomies.org.Asthisisanewresourceandwewillcontinuetoenhanceit,wewelcomeyourrequests,commentsandadditions!Pleasejoinusinprovidingsocialmediaupdatesduringtheworkshop!Theofficialhashtagfortheworkshopis:#ReadyToDiversify.YoucanalsofollowalongonTwitterwith@NACoTweets,@NADOWeband@US_EDA.Again,thankyoufortakingthetimetotraveltoCharleston.Wehopethisworkshopisbeneficialtoyouandyourcommunity.Pleasebesuretocompletetheevaluationformstohelpusimproveourofferings,andpleasedonothesitatetoshareyourfeedbackwithNACoorNADOstaffhereattheeventorafteryoureturnhome.

Workshop Location CharlestonMarriottTownCenter200LeeStreet,Charleston,WV25301304-345-6500

Attire Theattirefortheworkshopisbusinesscasual.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 3

Event Participants

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 4

Agenda Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015: Day 1 – Framing the Issues

1:30–2:00p.m. EventArrivalandRegistration Location:OutsideSalonD(SecondFloor) 2:00–2:15p.m. WelcomingRemarks SalonD

● KathyNothstine,ProgramDirector,NationalAssociationofCounties,Washington,D.C.

● ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting,Arlington,Va.2:15–3:30p.m. TeamPresentations:Who’sIntheRoom? SalonD

Onerepresentativefromeachteamwillgiveanintroductorypresentationontheirgoals,issuesandvisionfortheirregionfollowedbyafacilitateddiscussion.

3:30–3:45p.m. NetworkingBreak 3:45–4:55p.m. PanelDiscussion:FromDownturntoTransition SalonD

Thispaneldiscussionwillfeaturespeakerswhohaveexperiencedeconomicdownturnsandcommunitytransitionsinvarioussectorsandgeographies.Panelistswillshareinsightsandlessonslearned,focusingonpatternsandopportunitiesfoundwithineconomic,physicalandsocialchangesinacommunity.

● TaylorStuckert,ExecutiveDirector,ClintonCountyRegionalPlanningCommission,Wilmington,Ohio

● CindyWinland,DirectorofStrategicPriorities,DeltaInstitute,Chicago,Ill.

● StephanieTyree,DeputyDirector,WestVirginiaCommunityDevelopmentHub,Fairmont,W.Va.

● Moderator:ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting,Arlington,Va.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 5

4:55–5:00p.m. Wrap-upofDay1● ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting,Arlington,Va.

5:00–6:30p.m. NetworkingReception SalonA&B(SecondFloor) Lightappetizerswillbeavailablealongwithacashbar.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 6

Thursday, Nov 19, 2015: Day 2 – Exploring the Solutions

8:00–8:30a.m. NetworkingBreakfast SalonD 8:30–9:00a.m. OpeningPlenary:PartnershipsandResourcestoRoottheTransition

ThisplenarywillhelpteamsthinkthroughthechangingeconomiclandscapeofruralAmerica,andidentifyinnovativepartnershipsandresourcestoassistwithimplementingtheirgoalsfortransitioningeconomies.

● ChuckFluharty,FounderandVicePresidentforPolicyPrograms,RuralPolicyResearchInstitute,IowaCity,Iowa

● Moderator:ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting,Arlington,Va.

9:00–9:45a.m. ExploringDataandTools:ConcurrentSessions

ExploringEconomicDiversificationDataToolsThissessionwillhighlightdataandtoolsthatteamscanusetodevelop,visualizeandcommunicateeconomicdiversificationstrategies.SalonD

● BrianKelsey,EconomicDevelopmentConsultant,NationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizations(NADO),Washington,D.C.

ExploringWorkforceDevelopmentToolsThissessionwillhighlightdataandtoolsthatteamscanusetodevelop,visualizeandcommunicateadulteducationandworkforcedevelopmentstrategies.SalonE

● JoelSimon,VicePresidentforWorkforceandEconomicDevelopment,CouncilforAdultandExperientialLearning,Chicago,Ill.

9:45–10:00a.m. NetworkingBreak10:00–11:15a.m. TeamExercise#1:IdentifyingGoals SalonD

Teamswillmeetprivatelytostartdiscussingtopprioritiesforeconomicdiversification-relatedgoals.Usethequestionsprovidedinyourdiscussionpacketstodiscussgoals,keyplayersandrelatedactivitiesorprojectsasagroup.Assignsomeoneontheteamtoserveasanotetaker.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 7

11:15a.m.-12:15p.m.EconomicDiversificationStrategies:ConcurrentSessions(Round1)Teammemberswillsplituptoattendoneofthreeconcurrentsessionsintopicareasrelatedtoeconomicdiversificationstrategies.Asubjectmatterexpertwillleadeachsessionandfacilitatesmallgroupdiscussion.Session1:WorkforceDevelopment,EducationandTrainingSalonESessionLeader:JoelSimon,VicePresidentforWorkforceandEconomicDevelopment,CouncilforAdultandExperientialLearning,Chicago,Ill.Session2:BrownfieldsandSiteRedevelopmentSalonDSessionLeader:PatrickKirby,Director,NorthernWestVirginiaBrownfieldsAssistanceCenter,Morgantown,W.Va.

Session3:AdvancedManufacturingSectorDevelopmentSalonFSessionLeader:PetraMitchell,PresidentandCEO,CatalystConnection,Pittsburgh,Pa.

12:15–1:30p.m. LuncheonKeynote:BuildingCommunitiesthatCreateProsperityand

OpportunitySalonDAsset-basedeconomicdevelopmentstrategiesarerootedinmutuallysupportiveregionalrelationshipstogrowlocalbusinessesandcreatelocaljobs.Thissessionwillintroduceanapproachtoeconomicdevelopmentthatengagesawiderangeofpartnersandinvestsinlocalassetstostrengthenlocaleconomies.Thediscussionwillincludeacasestudyillustratinghowtheseprincipleshavecreatedarobustregionalagriculturesectorrootedinlocalpeople,placesandfirms.

• LeslieSchaller,DirectorofPrograms,AppalachianCenterforEconomicNetworks(AceNET),Athens,Ohio

• Moderator:KathyNothstine,ProgramDirector,NationalAssociationofCounties,Washington,D.C.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 8

1:30–2:30p.m. EconomicDiversificationStrategies:ConcurrentSessions(Round2)Teammemberswillsplituptoattendoneofthreeconcurrentsessionsintopicareasrelatedtoeconomicdiversificationstrategies.Atopicareaexpertwillleadeachsessionandfacilitatesmallgroupdiscussion.Session1:EntrepreneurshipandSmallBusinessDevelopmentSalonESessionLeader:ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsultingSession2:BroadbandDevelopmentSalonDSessionLeader:GaleGiven,ChiefTechnologyOfficer,WestVirginiaOfficeofTechnology,Charleston,W.Va.

Session3:TransportationandInfrastructureConnectionsSalonFSessionLeader:ScottHercik,TransportationandTradeAdvisor,AppalachianRegionalCommission,Washington,D.C.

2:30-3:30p.m. TeamExercise#2:DevelopingStrategies SalonD

Usethistimewithyourteamtosharehighlightsfromtheconcurrentsessionsandincorporatenewideastostrengthenyourteam’sgoalsandstrategies.Followthediscussionquestionsinyourpackettoguidetheconversation.Youcanalsobeginfillingoutthe‘ImplementationRoadmap’,foundattheendofthepacketandontheprovidedPowerPointtemplate,whichallteamswillbepresentingonFriday.

3:30–3:45p.m. NetworkingBreak3:45–4:45p.m. TeamReport-outs:TrackingtheProgress SalonD

EachteamwillprovidehighlightsoflessonslearnedfromDay2.4:45–5:00p.m. Wrap-upofDay2

● ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting5:00p.m. Adjourn

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 9

Friday, Nov. 20, 2015: Day 3 – Strategy & Commitments

7:45–8:00a.m. NetworkingBreakfast SalonD 8:00–8:30a.m. U.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration(EDA)Update

LearnaboutwaysthatEDA,theWhiteHouseandotherfederalagenciesarepartneringtosupportplacesundergoingeconomictransitions.

● DougLynott,POWERProgramManager,U.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration,Washington,D.C.

8:30–9:30a.m. PanelDiscussion:RegionalPartnershipstoImplementaVision SalonD

Thissessionwillhighlighthowruralregionshaveengageddiversesupportpartnerstocreatealastingvisionforthefuture,andhowtheyareapplyingplace-basedstrategiestomakethosevisionsreality.

● CheryalLeeHills,ExecutiveDirector,RegionFiveDevelopmentCommission,Staples,Minn.

● DanFrank,SeniorProgramManager,InitiativeFoundation,LittleFalls,Minn.

● Moderator:BrettSchwartz,ProgramManager,NationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizationsResearchFoundation,Washington,D.C.

9:30–11:00a.m. TeamExercise#3:ImplementationMapping

Takethistimewithyourteamtocompleteyour‘ImplementationRoadmap’(usingtheprovidedPowerPointtemplate).Assignoneteammembertopresenttheteam’scompletedImplementationRoadmaptothelargergroup.

11:00-11:45a.m. TeamReports–Round1

Fourteamswilloverviewtheirimplementableactionsfollowedbyafacilitateddiscussionofmajorthemesandtakeaways.

11:45a.m.-12:00p.m.BreakandPickUpLunch

12:00-12:45p.m. TeamReports–Round2Overlunch,theremainingfourteamswilloverviewtheirimplementableactionsfollowedbyafacilitateddiscussionofmajorthemesandtakeaways.

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 10

12:45–1:00p.m. FinalLessonsandNextSteps● ErikPages,President,EntreWorksConsulting,Arlington,Va.

1:00p.m. WorkshopAdjourns

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 11

Event Participants

SoutheastMichiganCouncilofGovernments(representingMonroeCountyandWayneCounty)Dave Davison Mayor CityofLunaPier LunaPier MI ddavison@cityoflunapier.com 734-848-4206Stacy Grimes Councilman CityofLunaPier LunaPier MI grimes_stacy@yahoo.com 734-243-1225James Wagner CityAdministrator CityofTrenton Trenton MI jwagner@trenton-mi.com 734-675-6500Paula Boase Directorof

EconomicDevelopment

DownriverCommunityConference

Southgate MI paula.boase@dccwf.org 734-362-3477

Tim Lake President&CEO MonroeCountyBusinessDevelopmentCorp.

Monroe MI tlake@monroecountyBDC.org 734-241-8081

Gary Wilmoth Commissioner MonroeCounty Monroe MI gwilmothdist7@gmail.com 419-360-5105Kevin Johnson Planner SoutheastMichigan

CouncilofGovernmentsDetroit MI johnson@semcog.org 313-324-3353

WestMichiganShorelineRegionalDevelopmentCommission(representingMuskegonCounty) Cathy Brubaker-

ClarkeCommunity&EconomicDevelopmentDirector

CityofMuskegon Muskegon MI cathy.brubaker-clarke@shorelinecity.com

231-724-6702

Dennis Marvin CommunityEngagementManager

ConsumersEnergy Muskegon MI dennis.marvin@cmsenergy.com 517-788-0318

Keith Welcher DecommissioningProgramManager

ConsumersEnergy Muskegon MI keith.welcher@cmsenergy.com 517-788-1429

Ed Garner President&CEO MuskegonAreaFirst Muskegon MI egarner@muskegonareafirst.org 231-724-3172Consuelo Maxim-

SparrowGrantsCoordinator

MuskegonCounty Muskegon MI maximsparrowco@co.muskegon.mi.us

231-670-5863

Jonathan Wilson EconomicDevelopmentCoordinator

MuskegonCounty Muskegon MI wilsonjo@co.muskegon.mi.us 231-724-8861

Erin Kuhn ExecutiveDirector WestMichiganShorelineRegionalDevelopmentCommission

Muskegon MI ekuhn@wmsrdc.org 231-722-7878

NorthwestNewMexicoCouncilofGovernments(representingCibola,McKinleyandSanJuancounties) Arvin Trujillo Governmental

RelationsManagerArizonaPublicService-FourCornersPowerPlant

Farmington NM arvin.trujillo@aps.com 505-598-8205

Eileen ChavezYarborough

ExecutiveDirector CibolaCommunitiesEconomicDevelopmentFoundation

Grants NM eileen@cibolaedc.com 505-287-6685

Ray Hagerman CEO FourCornersEconomicDevelopment

Farmington NM rhagerman@4cornersed.com 505-566-3720

David Hinkle ExecutiveDirector GallupChamberofCommerce

Gallup NM david@thegallupchamber.com 505-722-2228

Larry Hathaway Administrator SanJuanCounty Aztec NM lhathaway@sjcounty.net 505-598-9624

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 12

ArmstrongCounty,Pa. Richard Fink Commissioner ArmstrongCounty Kittanning PA dkwhiteman@co.armstrong.pa.us 724-548-3215Mike Coonley Executive

DirectorArmstrongCountyDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment

Kittanning PA mpcoonley@co.armstrong.pa.us 724-548-1500

Kelly Kirsch AssistantCoordinator,AdultEducation

LenapeTech FordCity PA kirskel@lenape.k12.pa.us 724-763-5916

Lew Villotti DirectorofPlanningandDevelopment

SouthwesternPennsylvaniaCommission

Pittsburgh PA lewvillotti@spcregion.org 412-391-5590x302

Fred Fornataro ExecutiveDirector

Tri-CountyWorkforceInvestmentBoardInc.

Butler PA tcwib@tricountywib.org 724282-9341x102

NewRiverValleyRegionalCommission(representingGilesCounty,Va.) Nick Proctor OutdoorRecreation

SpecialistFriendsofSouthwestVirginia

Abingdon VA nproctor@myswva.org 276-492-2412

Jenny McCoy ExecutiveAssistant GilesCounty Pearisburg VA jmccoy@gilescounty.org 540-921-2525John Ross CountyPlanner GilesCounty Pearisburg VA jross@gilescounty.org 540-921-2525Patrick O'Brien RegionalPlanner NewRiverValley

RegionalCommissionRadford VA pobrien@nrvrc.org 540-639-9313x206

Marty Holliday ExecutiveDirector NewRiver/MountRogersWorkforceDevelopmentBoard

Radford VA marty.holliday@nrmrwib.org 540-633-6764

KanawhaCounty,W.Va. Justin Gaull VicePresidentEconomic

DevelopmentCharlestonAreaAlliance

Charleston WV JGaull@charlestonareaalliance.org 304-340-4253

Andrew Gunnoe DeputyCountyManager KanawhaCountyCommission

Charleston WV andrewgunnoe@kanawha.us 304-357-0126

Colt Sandoro DeputyPlanningDirector KanawhaCountyPlanningCommission

Charleston WV coltsandoro@kanawha.us 304-357-4664

Terry Martin ProjectCoordinator RegionalIntergovernmentalCouncil

SouthCharleston

WV terrymartin@wvregion3.org 304-744-4258

S.K. Miller ExecutiveDirector WVWorkforceInvestmentBoard,RegionIII

Charleston WV skmiller@region3wibkc.org 304-344-5760

D.Anne Cavalier BusinessDevelopmentConsultant

Smithers WV acavalier48@gmail.com 304-553-2012

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 13

MasonCounty,W.Va. Carla King SchoolCounselor MasonCountyCareer

CenterPointPleasant WV cking@k12.wv.us 304-675-3039

Rick Handley Commissioner MasonCountyCommission PointPleasant WV rhandley35@yahoo.com 304-593-6308Bryan Stepp President MasonCounty

DevelopmentPointPleasant WV bfstepp@ovbc.com 304-675-0139

M.Bruce Riffle BoardMember MasonCountyDevelopmentAuthority

Leon WV martinbriff@aol.com 304-593-9989

Kathy Elliott Sr.ProjectAdministrator

RegionIIPlanning&DevelopmentCouncil

Huntington WV kelliott@region2pdc.org 304-529-3357

Charles Yonker Mayor TownofNewHaven NewHaven WV cyonkerracing@yonker.com 304-882-3203

NewRiverGorgeRegionalDevelopmentAuthority(representingFayette,Nicholas,RaleighandSummerscounties,W.Va.) KellyJo Drey Resource

CoordinatorFayetteCounty Fayetteville WV kelly.j.drey@wv.gov 304-574-4258

Richard Bullins MarketingManager

NationalCoalHeritageArea OakHill WV rbullins@gmail.com 304-248-8595

Joe Brouse DirectorofBusinessRetentionandExpansion

NewRiverGorgeRegionalDevelopmentAuthority

Beckley WV jbrouse@nrgrda.org 304-254-8115

Robin Morgan BusinessServicesManager

R1WorkforceDevelopmentBoard

Beckley WV ramorgan@r1workforcewv.org 304-255-3932

Byrd White Commissioner RaleighCounty Beckley WV bwhite@red2blackwv.com 303-763-5352John Tuggle Executive

DirectorRegion4PlanningandDevelopmentCouncil

Summersville WV jtuggle@reg4wv.org 304-872-4970

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 14

Speakers,StaffandGuests Chuck Fluharty PresidentandCEO RuralPolicyResearch

InstituteIowaCity IA cfluharty@rupri.org 319-384-3825

Dan Frank SeniorProgramManager

InitiativeFoundation LittleFalls MN dfrank@ifound.org 218-820-1094

Gale Given ChiefTechnologyOfficer

WestVirginiaOfficeofTechnology

Charleston WV Gale.Y.Given@wv.gov 304-558-8101

Patricia Hamilton ExecutiveDirector WVAssociationofCounties

Charleston WV Patti@wvaco.org 304-346-0591

Scott Hercik TransportationandTradeAdvisor

AppalachianRegionalCommission

Washington DC shercik@arc.gov 202-884-7717

CheryalLee

Hills ExecutiveDirector RegionFiveDevelopmentCommission

Staples MN chills@regionfive.org 218-894-3233

Brian Kelsey EconomicDevelopmentConsultant

NationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizations

Washington DC brian@civicanalytics.com 512-731-7851

Patrick Kirby Director NorthernWestVirginiaBrownfieldsAssistanceCenter

Morgantown WV Patrick.Kirby@mail.wvu.edu 304-293-6984

Doug Lynott POWERProgramManager

U.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration

Washington DC dlynott@eda.gov 202-482-5549

Petra Mitchell PresidentandCEO CatalystConnection Pittsburgh PA pmitchell@catalystconnection.org 412-918-4300Jenna Moran ProgramManager NationalAssociationof

CountiesWashington DC jmoran@naco.org 713-501-3242

Jack Morgan ProgramManager NationalAssociationofCounties

Washington DC jmorgan@naco.org 276-791-9687

Kathy Nothstine ProgramDirector NationalAssociationofCounties

Washington DC knothstine@naco.org 202-714-8245

Erik Pages President EntreWorksConsulting Arlington VA epages@entreworks.net 703-237-2506Vivian Parsons ExecutiveDirector CountyCommissioners'

AssociationWVCharleston WV vivian@ccawv.org 304-345-4639

Lisa Schaefer DirectorofGovernmentRelations

CountyCommissionersAssociationofPennsylvania

Harrisburg PA lschaefer@pacounties.org 717-649-1541

Leslie Schaller DirectorofPrograms AppalachianCenterforEconomicNetworks

Athens OH leslies@acenetworks.org 740-592-3854x115

Brett Schwartz ProgramManager NADOResearchFoundation

Washington DC bschwartz@nado.org 202-624-7806

Joel Simon VicePresidentforWorkforceandEconomicDevelopment

CouncilforAdultandExperientialLearning

Chicago IL JSimon@cael.org 312-499-2678

Aaron Sporck DirectorofEconomicDevelopment

SenatorShelleyMooreCapito

Charleston WV aaron_sporck@capito.senate.gov 304-550-5825

Taylor Stuckert ExecutiveDirector ClintonCountyRegionalPlanningCommission

Wilmington OH taylor.stuckert@gmail.com 937-382-3582

Charles Taylor SeniorStaffWriter,CountyNews

NationalAssociationofCounties

Washington DC ctaylor@naco.org 202-942-4223

Stephanie Tyree DeputyDirector WestVirginiaCommunityDevelopmentHub

Fairmont WV s.tyree@wvhub.org 304-360-2110

Cindy Winland DirectorofStrategicPriorities

DeltaInstitute Chicago IL cwinland@delta-institute.org 312-554-0900

NACo – NADO – EDA Innovation Challenge Workshop, Charleston, West Virginia 15

AbouttheNationalAssociationofCounties(NACo)TheNationalAssociationofCounties(NACo)unitesAmerica’s3,069countygovernments.Foundedin1935,NACobringscountyofficialstogethertoadvocatewithacollectivevoiceonnationalpolicy,exchangeideasandbuildnewleadershipskills,pursuetransformationalcountysolutions,enrichthepublic’sunderstandingofcountygovernment,andexerciseexemplaryleadershipinpublicservice.Visitthewebsiteatwww.naco.org.

AbouttheNationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizations(NADO)TheNationalAssociationofDevelopmentOrganizations(NADO)providesadvocacy,education,researchandtrainingforthenation’sregionaldevelopmentorganizationstopromoteregionalstrategies,partnershipsandsolutionstostrengthentheeconomiccompetitivenessandqualityoflifeacrossAmerica’slocalcommunities.TheNADOResearchFoundationexaminesinnovativepracticesinregionaldevelopment,improvestheorganizationalandprofessionalcapacityofregionaldevelopmentorganizationsandtheirpartners,andbridgesthecommunicationsgapsbetweenpolicymakers,practitionersandthepublic.Visitthewebsiteatwww.nado.org.

AbouttheU.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration(EDA)TheU.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministrationleadsthefederaleconomicdevelopmentagendabypromotinginnovationandcompetitivenessandpreparingAmericanregionsforgrowthandsuccessintheworldwideeconomy.Astheonlyfederalgovernmentagencyfocusedexclusivelyoneconomicdevelopment,EDAplaysacriticalroleinfosteringregionaleconomicdevelopmenteffortsincommunitiesacrossthenation.Throughstrategicinvestmentsthatfosterjobcreationandattractprivateinvestment,EDAsupportsdevelopmentineconomicallydistressedareasoftheUnitedStates.Visitthewebsiteatwww.eda.gov.