EDA Public Works & Economic Adjustment Assistance

​Southern Tier West represents three counties as an Economic Development District under the US Economic Development Administration (EDA).  Federal partners ARC and EDA offer investments to leverage private sector dollars that increase job opportunities, raise per capita income, promote infrastructure improvements and strengthen the capacity of people to complete global economies.  County participation and investments make these programs possible.

​The U.S. Economic Development Administration's (EDA) investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United Sates.  This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration.  EDA's grant investments in planning, technical assistance and infrastructure construction are designed to leverage existing regional assets to support physical infrastructure development in distressed communities.  Eligible applicants must be a state, a political subdivision of a state, district organization, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, or a non-profit acting in coordination with a political subdivision of a state.  Proposals must be based on a locally developed CEDS and fund must be matched at least dollar per dollar with cash.

​As EDA is extremely competitive, STW encourages prospective project sponsors to develop competitive projects consistent with EDA's funding priorities; develop required project information in a timely fashion; and work closely with STW in order to maximize your chances of being funded.Eligible areas must meet the specific economic distress criteria:
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• An unemployment rate that is for the most recent 24 month period of which data is available;
• At least one percent greater than the national average unemployment rate; or per capita income that is, for the most recent period for which data is available, 80% or less of the national average per capita income; or
• A "special need" (certain unemployment or economic adjustment problems) as determined by EDA