Economic Development

Economic Development District

Eastgate is an Economic Development District (EDD) under the U.S. Depart of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). As an EDD, Eastgate plays a key role in local economic development by allowing the region to establish priorities for projects and investments. This process helps EDA more effectively invest federal dollars in sustainable job growth opportunities. EDA supplies a wide range of flexible technical assistance and expertise in its toolbox to allow regions to innovate and respond to changing economic needs and conditions that local governments face.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a legal requirement by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) that officially designates the Economic Development District (EDD) as eligible for EDA funding of public works and development projects for a five-year period of time. The CEDS contains a descriptive analysis of the region’s economic health, its demographic features, and its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The CEDS may be used to update and refine local planning documents, prioritize and fund projects and improvements, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

EDA Technical Assistance

Eastgate will utilize resources to assist our members in seeking out and submitting economic development and infrastructure proposals that align with funding source investment criteria and priorities.

Technical Assistance will include the following scope of services:

  • Project Identification
  • Funding Source Identification. Align potential project proposals with state and federal funding sources.
  • Grant Writing Services:
    • Work closely with community partners and Eastgate staff to understand the value of the funding request, including impact, benefits, outcomes, and potential for expanded partnerships.
    • Develop, write, edit, and submit grants.
  • Miscellaneous. Meeting coordination, presentation preparation, project summation, etc.

Should you have projects that require such assistance, first review the following funding source information provided for project eligibility and then complete the EDA Project Submission Form, which will enable Eastgate to understand the project rationale and scope, as well as your need for assistance. Eastgate staff will determine if the projects meet the criteria below and what type of assistance we can provide.

Types of Eligible Projects for EDA funding:

  • Construction
  • Non-Construction
  • Planning
  • Technical Assistance
  • Revolving Loan Funds (RLF)

EDA Investment Priorities: 

  1. Critical Infrastructure: projects that support public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, or telecommunications infrastructure

  2. Workforce: promote labor force participation and support job skills training

  3. Support Innovation and Entrepreneurship: promote business development and lending, foster the commercialization of new technologies

  4. Economic Recovery Resilience: projects that enhance the ability of an area to withstand and recover from adverse economic conditions

  5. Manufacturing: projects that encourage job creation, business expansion, technology, and capital upgrades. 

Other Considerations:

EDA prioritizes projects that produce a return on investment (ROI) in the following ways:

  • Job Retention
  • Job Creation
  • Private Investment

It’s also important to consider the following when preparing to apply for EDA funding:

  • 40% Match Requirement
  • Know the EDA Investment Priorities (As shown above)
  • Alignment with the CEDS (Link to document above)
  • Highly Competitive EDA Review Process
  • Realistic Funding Request
  • Estimated $6-7 million total for projects in the State of Ohio per Fiscal Year.
  • Utilize the regional resources available to ensure a successful application!

    The EDA’s Public Works program and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program solicits grants and cooperative agreements under these programs to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.

    For further information on the EDA’s Investment Priorities and the full Public Works and EAA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) please visit the following links: