Economic Development Technical Assistance

EDA administers three Technical Assistance initiatives under this assistance listing: the University Center Economic Development program, the National Technical Assistance Program, and the Local Technical Assistance program. Together, these initiatives help promote economic development and alleviate unemployment, underemployment, and outmigration in distressed regions.

Pursuant to Section 3(6) of PWEDA (42 U.S.C. � 3122(6)(A)) and 13 C.F.R. � 300.3 (Eligible Recipient), eligible applicants for EDA financial assistance under the Public Works and EAA programs include a(n): (i) District Organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District; (ii) Indian Tribe or a consortium of Indian Tribes; (iii) State, county, 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; (v) public or private non-profit organization or association acting in cooperation with officials of a political subdivision of a State; (vi) an economic development organization; or (vii) a public-private partnership for public infrastructure. For RNTA awards individuals and for-profit entities may be eligible.

The evaluation criteria are set forth in the applicable NOFO.

EDA encourages cost sharing, and applications that include matching funds may be more competitive than those that do not. Generally, the amount of an EDA award may not exceed 60 percent of the total cost of the project. However, for RNTA awards, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (Assistant Secretary) has the discretion to establish a maximum Investment Rate of up to 100 percent where the project: (i) Merits, and is not otherwise feasible without, an increase to the Investment Rate; or (ii) Will be of no or only incidental benefit to the Eligible Recipient.

Fiscal year 2025: Local TA projects: https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/local-technical-assistance