OMB Community Solutions Webinar CEDS OMB Community Solutions Webinar November 15, 2016

What is a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)? Locally based, regionally-drive economic development planning process Economic development planning, as implemented through the CEDS, is not only a cornerstone of EDA’s programs, but successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration Provides the capacity building foundation by which the public sector, working in conjunction with other economic actors (individuals, firms, industries), creates the environment for regional prosperity. CEDS are an important cornerstone for EDA’s programs: EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs are considered implementation programs, and require the proposed project to be consistent with a CEDS or CEDS equivalent document. EDA funds CEDS under 2 programs: Partnership Planning program Funding to EDA designated Economic Development Districts (EDD’s) to develop and implement their CEDS EDD’s are multi county regional economic development organizations that are formed either as a non-profit or under state enabling legislations 57 EDD’s in the six state region Funding is provided as institutional awards on a continuation basis and is subject to satisfactory performance Short Term Planning Funding to regional economic development organizations Many times these organizations are completing a CEDS with the intention of requesting designation as an EDD

The CEDS Process Where are we as a Region? How do we get there as a Region? How are we doing as a Region in getting there? Where do we want to go as a Region? The CEDS is more than a document, it’s a process. In the process of developing a CEDS, a region is outlining: “Where are we as a Region?” “Where do we want to go as a Region?” “How are we going to get there as a Region?” In implementing a CEDS, there should be a periodic review of progress and performance, asking “How are we doing as a Region in getting there?” Evaluation of Progress on Action Plan and Goals Adjustments to the strategy Schedule of the Goals for the Next Year For a CEDS to be considered current, it has to be less than 5 years old. EDD’s are required to submit a new or revised CEDS to EDA at least every 5 years Applicants need a current CEDS or CEDS equivalent when applying for Public Work or Economic Adjustment Assistance. EDD’s are required to submit CEDS Annual Performance Report in the interim years between revised CEDS. Not a requirement, but a best practices for regional economic development organizations that are not designated as an EDD.

EDA’s old CEDS Requirements Previously, EDA’s regulations included a list of specific technical requirements for the CEDS “Checking the boxes” approach to the CEDS document The “Project List” Suggested vs. vital projects Required the projected number of jobs to be created and sources of funding for each project The way the requirements were listed in the regulations didn’t follow the logical flow of a CEDS document, making it difficult to use the regulations themselves as a checklist. EDA Regional offices developed a checklist for reviewing CEDS which grouped the requirements in the following categories: Background Analysis of Economic Development Problems and Opportunities CEDS Goals and Objectives - Defining Regional Expectations Community and Private Sector Involvement Strategic Projects, Programs and Activities CEDS Plan of Action Performance Measures Less focus on the quality of the content within the sections Too much background information, not all of it relevant to the goals, objectives, and action plan Vague goals and objections Performance metrics were identified, but they weren’t always measurable Difficulty with the project list requirements Politics of prioritizing/ranking projects Knowing the number of jobs to be created from a suggested project Including a laundry list of projects Only including projects that EDA alone would support

EDA’s new CEDS Content Guidelines Are intended to help regional planning organizations craft more impactful CEDS. Focuses almost exclusively on content (versus process). Offers suggestions on what should be included in each of the required sections (per the regulations), and recommends tools, resources and examples to help in the development of the CEDS document (“Recommended Resource”). EDA’s new CEDS Content Guidelines were implemented in conjunction with the new EDA regulations in January 2015 Are a collection of suggestions and recommendations, not a list of additional requirements Provide more flexibility to develop a CEDS that meets the region’s needs EDD’s are still in compliance if they continue their CEDS in the same format. Less emphasis on the project list: The action plan, however, should NOT simply be a list of projects. Nor should it exclusively reflect those activities which EDA alone could potentially support. A limited number of activities with the highest priority and potential for regional impact should be identified and described. A detailed, well-considered action plan increases the overall value of the CEDS, and makes it relevant and useful. While the action plan should provide a guide to prioritizing resources and efforts, it should not be used to limit the identification and implementation of other activities that support the strategic direction that was established as part of the development of the vision, goals and objectives within the CEDS.

How are the CEDS Content Guidelines structured? Overview Content Summary Background SWOT Analysis Strategic Direction/Action Plan Evaluation Framework Economic Resilience Format Preparation Equivalent/Alternative Plans

Recommended Resources Example CEDS Links to the documents posted online Includes CEDS examples to help in each section’s development. Shown “Recommended Resources” (shown in blue text) For Example, the Alternative/Equivalent Strategy section: Recommended Resource: See this example of a statewide CEDS: http://ceds.alabama.gov/).Examples of successful alignment between the CEDS and HUD’s Sustainable Communities Planning Grant include Central Minnesota: http://resilientregion.org/ and the Centralina region in the Charlotte area: http://www.centralinaedc.org/2012_CEDS_Update.php

What are the formatting recommendations? Keep your audience in mind Target page length Executive summary Use appendices Communicate creatively Appealing look-and-feel Alternate formats Think beyond the document Consider stakeholder engagement

What are the content recommendations? Linking the sections to improve CEDS focus and measurable impact Including key elements such as workforce, broadband, energy, etc. Emphasizing measurable goals/strategies rather than a stand-alone list of projects Integrating/leveraging other planning efforts and resources Infusing economic resilience into the CEDS Elements of the CEDS content should build upon and/or shape each other to result in a coherent, targeted document -- SWOT section is key 2. Summary Background section also outlines a large number of information types that may be relevant to include/examine in the CEDS 3. The strategic direction and action plan are the heart and soul of the document The strategic direction should evolve from a clearly defined vision with prioritized goals and measurable objectives A successful action plan should then focus on those regionally-driven strategic priorities that will result in a prioritized, measurable collection of capacity building activity areas The action plan, however, should NOT simply be a list of projects Action plan should NOT exclusively reflect those activities which EDA alone could potentially support 4. Look for opportunities to “cross-pollinate” CEDS should integrate other regional planning efforts CEDS should identify opportunities for the integrated use of other local, state, private and federal funds

Economic Resiliency Economic resiliency = An area’s ability to withstand, prevent, or quickly recover from major disruptions (i.e., ‘shocks’) to its underlying economic base. CEDS serves as a critical mechanism to help regions identify vulnerabilities and withstand or recover from disruptions. Steady-state initiatives: longer-term efforts that seek to bolster a community’s ability to withstand or prevent a shock Responsive initiatives: establishing capabilities that allow an organization/region to be responsive to region’s recovery needs following an incident “. . .each CEDS must promote Regional resiliency and be unique and responsive to the relevant Region.” Integrating resiliency into the CEDS can take multiple forms (need to identify assets and vulnerabilities regardless) Steady state & Responsive iniatives As a baseline, EDA suggests regions undertake a two-pronged approach: Implement specific goals or actions to bolster the long-term economic durability of the region (steady-state) Establish information networks among the various stakeholders in the region to facilitate active and regular communications between the public, private, education and non-profit sectors to collaborate on existing and potential future challenges (responsive).

Equivalent/Alternative Plans EDA may accept as a CEDS any locally, state, or regionally prepared plan, or a plan prepared under any Federally supported program if: plan is current plan preparation and contents address EDA’s regulations plan is consistent with the Guidelines “Nesting” -- Previously approved CEDS should be folded into the new plan by leveraging the existing action/implementation plans and evaluation frameworks to effectively inform the newer plan. When developing a regional plan that can also serve as a CEDS alternative document – start by engaging the appropriate EDA regional office who can help guide the process and ensure the new plans meet the basic requirements noted above. A region does not have to develop a CEDS if a strategy has already been prepared or is being crafted for an alternate but complimentary purpose, for example, a regional sustainability plan. In the absence of an EDA-funded CEDS, and in an effort to reduce duplication and foster cross-agency collaboration, EDA may accept as a CEDS any regionally prepared plan, including plans prepared under federally or state supported programs. When crafting a regional plan that will also serve as a CEDS alternative or equivalent that covers a geographic area already covered (in part) by one or more CEDS, those previously approved CEDS should be folded into (sometimes called “nesting”) the new plan. The existing plans and evaluation frameworks can be effectively used to strengthen the newer plan. At a minimum, the organization(s) (for example, the Economic Development District) that prepared the previously approved CEDS should be consulted. Including key elements from the previously approved CEDS will ensure that the larger regional plan continues to address more local needs and requirements. EDA does not formally “approve” these alternate/equivalent plans; EDA will accept or deny them as part of the community or region’s pursuit of an EDA-funded project.

U.S. Economic Development Administration U.S. Department of Commerce www.eda.gov Michelle Velazquez, AICP Economic Development Specialist Tel: (312) 789-9766 Email: mvelazquez@eda.gov Jeannette P. Tamayo, Regional Director Tel: (312) 789-9760 Email: jtamayo@eda.gov Gregory A. Becker, Management Analyst Tel: (312) 789-9765 Email: gbecker@eda.gov