Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

Program Summary

In 1969, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) established economic development regions, primarily multi-county regions and Tribal Nations, as the primary bodies to receive partnership-planning grants. Comprehensive regional plans have been a prerequisite for federal (EDA) grants. Over the past 40 years, the EDA has done studies that show that grants which are awarded to regions with Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) tend to have more consistent, positive outcomes. As part of their post COVID-19 strategy, the EDA has started to promote a CEDS model called “nesting.” This is where a statewide CEDS plan incorporates the goals and outcomes found in regional CEDS plans, to build greater collaboration across regions and at the state level. Colorado takes its place among the first states to “nest” its regional and statewide CEDS plans. Findings from each of the 16 regional CEDS were reviewed and incorporated as part of Colorado’s statewide CEDS data collection process. The Colorado Resiliency Office also partnered with OEDIT to ensure that regional and statewide CEDS align with the Colorado Resiliency Framework. The Statewide CEDS updated Colorado’s Blueprint 2.0 economic development strategy. The CEDS facilitates future applications to grant programs supported by the EDA, and helps to advance statewide goals for key industries.

Read Colorado’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), (PDF)

Type: Program

For: Economic Development Districts/Statewide Economic Development Planning

OEDIT division: Rural Opportunity Office