EDA Needs Your Support to Continue Funding

Rep. Pompeo (R-KS) recently circulated a dear colleague letter to his fellow House members encouraging them to support (H.R. 3090), a bill he introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with the purpose of eliminating the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). While it is not likely for this legislation to be considered or passed during the current year, the Pompeo proposal makes it more difficult for the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to maintain level funding for EDA, especially in the House, as part of the final FY2012 Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill. In addition, it makes it almost impossible to advance a multi-year reauthorization bill in the House and Senate next year.

In light of H.R. 3090, we urge you to contact your U.S. Representative and voice your support for the EDA . https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

EDA Recently Received an Overwhelming Show of Bipartisan Congressional Support During the U.S. House of Representatives debate on the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 (H.R. 1), Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) successfully offered an amendment to restore a proposed $80 million cut, or 33 percent reduction, in EDA's FY2011 funding. The House agreed, by a strong bipartisan vote of 305 to 127, to retain EDA's funding at the FY2010 enacted level. With 60 percent of the Republican caucus and 83 percent of the Democratic caucus supporting full funding for EDA, this was a clear demonstration of Congressional support for the agency and the need for future strategic public investments for economic development.

Dispelling False Claims about EDA:

• CLAIM: That the White House uses EDA to advance particular local projects that narrowly benefit certain businesses or groups.

• FACT: EDA's grants are awarded on a competitive basis based on regional comprehensive economic development strategies developed by the national network of Economic Development Districts and others. Two major studies have verified EDA's performance (Rutgers University in 1997 and Grant Thornton in 2008).
• CLAIM: That EDA is a wealth redistribution program.
• FACT: By law, EDA provides investments to communities facing severe economic distress and is targeted at essential facilities like water and wastewater systems, middle mile broadband networks, intermodal facilities and science and research parks.
• CLAIM: That EDA programs are duplicative of 80 other federal programs.
• FACT: EDA is unique among federal development programs. While other federal programs support broader community development activities, EDA focuses strictly on job creation/retention and economic growth. By federal law, EDA projects typically require a 50 percent local cost share and significant private sector investment, ensuring that local leaders and businesses are committed to the project's success. In addition, EDA investments are focused on high quality jobs, especially in advanced manufacturing, science and technology, and emerging knowledge-based industries and sectors. By federal law, EDA project investments must be tied into a regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) developed and vetted by local officials (including Economic Development Districts)˜this helps ensure projects have significant local support and are part of a broader regional plan, rather than just isolated, uncoordinated local projects.
  

Show Your Support for EDA by Taking Action TODAY Call and write your representatives TODAY. Be sure to explain your personal experience with EDA. Tell your elected officials about any specific projects that have impacted your community, and let lawmakers know how these programs have changed the lives of citizens in your area. You can have an immediate impact by telling lawmakers if EDA programs have created or saved jobs, helped secure matching funds, or improved the long-term health of your community.

You can use the Write Your Representative tool on the House of Representatives website https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml to find contact information for your Congressperson. You can also find a full listing of House members here http://house.gov/. Additionally, you can find your state's senators and contact them by phone or email here http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state&Sort=ASC.

Source: International Economic Development Council