EDA Releases New Funding Opportunity

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced six programs, collectively called “Investing in America’s Communities,” that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will execute to equitably invest the $3 billion received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

The EDA ARPA Grant Programs are as follows:

1. Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion)
2. Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million)
3. Economic Adjustment Assistance ($500 million)
4. Indigenous Communities ($100 million)
5. Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation ($750 million)
6. Statewide Planning, Research and Networks ($90 million)  

As part of the six programs, the EDA is making a Coal Communities Commitment by allocating $300 million to ensure support for these communities as they recover from the pandemic and create new jobs and opportunities. Centralina is working with our state EDA representative, Hillary Sherman, to share information about the six EDA ARPA grant programs and the Coal Communities Commitment. 

In August of 2021, Centralina cohosted a U.S. EDA ARPA briefing event with Hillary Sherman, Western Piedmont Council of Government and the Foothills Regional Commission entitled “EDA Resources for Advancing Economic Recovery and Economic Development: An Overview of the ARP and Regular Funds Available to Local Communities” to help local governments further understand requirements.