The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that creates the space for your region to identify its strengths and weaknesses and brings together a diverse set of partners to generate good jobs, diversify the economy, and spur economic growth.  This process should engage a range of partners, including Economic Development Districts (EDDs), community leaders and residents, tribes, the private sector, educational institutions, and other stakeholders in planning for your region’s future.   

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)    

CEDS Required Sections:

An Effective CEDS...

• Summary Background 
• SWOT Analysis
• Strategic Direction / Action Plan
• Evaluation Framework
• Economic Resilience

Note:  In April 2023, EDA updated the Content Guidelines to include three new recommended sections on equity, climate resilience, and workforce development and additional information on broadband.  

• Identifies a region’s competitive advantages
• Demonstrates the EDD's/regional organization's grasp of key trends
• Promotes cross-sector collaboration
• Commits to measurable success
• Tells a compelling story about the region’s past, present, and future
• Motivates action and implementation ​

CEDS 101:  What You Need to Know Right Now About the CEDS 

During this webinar, staff from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, NADO Research Foundation, and Southeast Conference covered CEDS fundamentals, best practices, and latest trends. The session is intended primarily for new staff working on the CEDS, though it may also be of interest as a refresher for CEDS veterans.  Presentation slides are available here (PDF).

Empowering Regions Through the CEDS Slide Deck   

Now more than ever, regional organizations are working to ensure the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy  is inclusive, engaging, and supportive of local efforts to foster resilient and prosperous regions.  This slide deck from a presentation at the 4-State Economic Development Conference in June 2022 covers the latest best practices and trends for CEDS planning and implementation, a perspective from EDA on the value of the CEDS and how it can identify effective projects, and case studies from EDDs on how projects emerged from the CEDS process to go on to make a real impact in their regions.  Click here to download the slides (PDF) 

         The CEDS At a Glance 

• ​The CEDS helps to build on the strengths of your region, as well as identify gaps in resources or expertise that need to be addressed
• The CEDS planning process can facilitate regional collaboration, expand supply chains, and grow and support new industry clusters
• With a CEDS in place, regions are more likely to attract federal funds and technical assistance by demonstrating resources are used efficiently and effectively
• The CEDS process can make your region more resilient and better positioned to plan for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and economic shocks
• The CEDS can be much more than just a static document, but rather an engaging platform that generates region-wide discussions and serves as a call to action for economic development 

CEDS Content Guidelines 

​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).      
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Mini-Course:  Keys to Developing the CEDS 

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