The Gulf Coast Economic Development District has applied for funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for 2018-2020. The District’s grant amount will be $210,000 and the term will run for three years from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020, and be a continuation of our longstanding economic development technical assistance activities.

Staff support is provided by H-GAC under a Memorandum of Agreement with the District, which has been in effect since 1988. The EDA is providing an 80/20 match for this District planning grant, historically provided by H-GAC.

Recent accomplishments of the District include:

• Provided technical training to economic development professionals.
• Assisted consolidating regional economic development funding needs and coordinating with the EDA for Hurricane Harvey recovery. 
• Provided technical assistance on local economic development projects.
• Maintained and updated economic development web pages.
• Released a quarterly economic development newsletter.

The District’s work program for the grant term will include planning and coordination activities to update and implement the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and maintain eligibility for jurisdictions in our region to apply for EDA funding that supports local projects.

Yes

Request approval to enter into contract with Economic Development Administration for planning and coordination activities; amount not to exceed $262,500. (Staff Contact: Jeff Taebel)