The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that successfully engages a range of partners, including Economic Development Districts (EDDs), tribes, community members, the private sector, educational institutions, and other stakeholders in planning for a region’s future.
CEDS Central serves as a resource hub for education and training materials developed by the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) as part of the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP) (2022-present) and Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions (2016-2021) programs, both funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The free resources archived here include reports, case studies, videos, webinars, and presentation materials on planning, developing, and implementing the CEDS. The materials are designed for both new staff working on the CEDS for the very first time as well as more seasoned veterans of the process.
CEDS Central serves as a resource hub for education and training materials developed by the NADO Research Foundation (NADO RF) as part of the Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP) (2022-present) and Stronger CEDS, Stronger Regions (2016-2021) programs, both funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The free resources archived here include reports, case studies, videos, webinars, and presentation materials on planning, developing, and implementing the CEDS. The materials are designed for both new staff working on the CEDS for the very first time as well as more seasoned veterans of the process.
Featured Resources
This report highlights roles that EDDs are playing to increase childcare accessibility, quality, and affordability in their communities, and has recommendations for districts who have not yet been involved with childcare initiatives.
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This brief written for staff at EDDs outlines some of the impacts that AI is having on workplaces and provides guidance on how organizations can establish good internal polices and norms around AI use. Click here.
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This report provides EDD staff with an overview of data center basics, the variety of local and regional impacts to consider, and the roles EDDs are increasingly playing as communities respond to data center development. Click here.
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CEDS Central is prepared by the NADO Research Foundation using Federal funds under awards ED17HDQ3030005 & ED22HDQ3070106 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Last updated: June 2026
(Banner Photo: Region XII COG, IA)
(Banner Photo: Region XII COG, IA)