Economic Development Administration
Encyclopedia
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce
that provides grants to economically distressed communities to generate new employment, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth.
. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the United States experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is the key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.
. The current Assistant Secretary is John Fernandez, who was appointed by President Barack Obama
on September 14, 2009. The Assistant Secretary is assisted in running the Administration by two Deputy Assistant Secretaries and various other senior career federal employees.
Brian P. McGowan, Deputy Assistant Secretary/COO for Economic Development
Sean Cartwright, Chief of Staff
Angela Belden Martinez, Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach
Barry E. A. Johnson, Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Initiatives
Barry Bird, Chief Counsel
Bryan Borlik, Director, Performance and National Programs, and Director, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
Angela Ewell-Madison, Director, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Cleve Mesidor, Director, Public Affairs
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
that provides grants to economically distressed communities to generate new employment, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth.
History
The EDA was established under the Public Works and Economical Development Act of 1965 to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically troubled areas of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the United States experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.
Mission and Investment Priorities
EDA’s stated mission is to "lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy."The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is the key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.
Organization
The Economic Development Administration is led by an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, who is appointed by the President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. The current Assistant Secretary is John Fernandez, who was appointed by President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
on September 14, 2009. The Assistant Secretary is assisted in running the Administration by two Deputy Assistant Secretaries and various other senior career federal employees.
- Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development/Chief Operating Officer
- Office of External Affairs
- Office of Information Technology
- Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Office of Finance and Management Services
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Regional Affairs
- Office of Regional Affairs
- Atlanta Regional Office
- Austin Regional Office
- Chicago Regional Office
- Denver Regional Office
- Philadelphia Regional Office
- Seattle Regional Office
- Office of Regional Affairs
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development/Chief Operating Officer
Senior Leadership
John Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic DevelopmentBrian P. McGowan, Deputy Assistant Secretary/COO for Economic Development
Sean Cartwright, Chief of Staff
Angela Belden Martinez, Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach
Barry E. A. Johnson, Senior Advisor and Director of Strategic Initiatives
Barry Bird, Chief Counsel
Bryan Borlik, Director, Performance and National Programs, and Director, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
Angela Ewell-Madison, Director, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
Cleve Mesidor, Director, Public Affairs
See also
- Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
- United States Commercial ServiceUnited States Commercial ServiceThe United States Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, which helps U.S. companies succeed in markets around the world. Led by Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General Suresh Kumar and located across the...
- United States Chamber of CommerceUnited States Chamber of CommerceThe United States Chamber of Commerce is an American lobbying group representing the interests of many businesses and trade associations. It is not an agency of the United States government....
- Small Business AdministrationSmall Business AdministrationThe Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...