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 community leaders and residents, Economic Development Districts (EDDs), tribes, the private sector, educational institutions, and other stakeholders in planning for your region’s future. The CEDS planning process creates the space for your region to identify its strengths and weaknesses and brings together a diverse set of partners to create good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth.
An effective CEDS allows a region to maximize its economic development potential, as well as engage with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and other federal partners to receive infrastructure and technical assistance grants, such as EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. The CEDS is a pre-requisite for federal designation as an EDD and must be updated at least every five years. Overall, an effective CEDS planning process identifies locally-grown strategies that will guide regional economic development, encourage partnerships and collaboration, and improve economic outcomes and overall quality of life in your region.
(Banner photo : Southeast Commission, AK)
An effective CEDS allows a region to maximize its economic development potential, as well as engage with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and other federal partners to receive infrastructure and technical assistance grants, such as EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. The CEDS is a pre-requisite for federal designation as an EDD and must be updated at least every five years. Overall, an effective CEDS planning process identifies locally-grown strategies that will guide regional economic development, encourage partnerships and collaboration, and improve economic outcomes and overall quality of life in your region.
(Banner photo : Southeast Commission, AK)
The CEDS At a Glance
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CEDS Content Guidelines
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The U.S. Economic Development Administration's release of the CEDS Content Guidelines and updated federal regulations in 2015 ushered in a new era for CEDS development. The Guidelines provide a clear, streamlined framework for regional entities in crafting an effective and impactful CEDS. The document includes recommendations on what should be included in each of the required sections (Summary Background, SWOT Analysis, Strategic Direction/Action Plan, and Evaluation Framework), and suggests useful tools, resources, and examples. It also emphasize the importance of incorporating the concept of economic resilience into the CEDS.
Access the Guidelines on EDA's website here. For specific questions about your CEDS, contact your state's Economic Development Representative (directory here). |
Mini-Course: Keys to Developing the CEDS
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In the fall of 2017, staff from MarksNelson CPA delivered a series of webinar presentations that covered key elements and planning essentials for developing an effective CEDS. These webinars were organized in advance of in-person workshops for EDDs and tribes in the EDA Denver region, which funded this project in conjunction with the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District. Explore the four webinar modules below:
Module 1 (Purpose): Provides an overview of the CEDS and the required sections Module 2 (Process): Addresses preparing for the CEDS, building partnerships, and content recommendations Module 3 (Product): Covers in detail the four required sections of the CEDS and economic resilience Module 4 (Procedure): Discusses plan adoption, approval, reporting, and updates |
Special thanks to MarksNelson, the Northeast Nebraska EDD, and the EDA Denver Regional Office
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CEDS Required Sections:
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An Effective CEDS...
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The above links direct to the corresponding sections in EDA's CEDS Content Guidelines |
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