Partner Initiatives
Communities of Practice
EDA’s Communities of Practice strengthen America’s economic development infrastructure by capturing, organizing, and scaling practices at a national level.
Disaster Recovery
EDA has a long history of successfully supporting disaster recovery and resiliency efforts. EDA's role in disaster recovery is to facilitate the timely and effective delivery of Federal economic development assistance to support long-term community economic recovery planning and project implementation, redevelopment and resilience. EDA is uniquely positioned to coordinate federal support for regional disaster recovery efforts in partnership with its extensive network of Economic Development Districts (EDDs), University Centers, and other stakeholders in designated impact areas.
Economic Development Integration (EDI)
EDA possesses broad and deep experience in successfully coordinating resources across multiple programs and special initiatives. Based upon this experience and EDA’s historic track record of successful collaboration with a range of stakeholders (both federal and non-federal), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has designated EDA to lead the federal government’s efforts to maximize the integration of economic development resources from all sources, including federal, state, local and philanthropic, to achieve more impactful and sustainable outcomes for communities across America.
EDA Vista Corps
EDA provides funding and technical assistance to advance prosperity in distressed communities, while CNCS provides human resources in the form of “Volunteers in Service to America” (VISTAs).
National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (NACIE)
NACIE is charged with identifying and recommending solutions to drive the innovation economy, including growing a skilled STEAM workforce and removing barriers for entrepreneurs ushering innovative technologies into the market. The council also facilitates Federal dialogue with the innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development communities.
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE)
The Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) is the premier economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurial network of the Americas. One of the leading high-level events of the Organization of American States (OAS), ACE is convened in the context of the RIAC by its Chair Pro Tempore; the Government of the United States, through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in coordination with the International Trade Administration (ITA), and the U.S. Department of State; and the General Secretariat of the OAS. ACE convenes senior government, business, policy, and economic decision-makers to experience the diverse range of projects, strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and best practices from a particular region’s economic, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Participants in the program engage with innovation hubs, advanced technology centers, leading firms, educational and research institutions; explore local, regional, urban, and rural economic development models; share experiences and knowledge; build networks to enhance competitiveness in the Americas; promote sustainable and inclusive economic development; and increase trade and investment opportunities.