How EDDs Can Utilize the CEDS to Increase Regional Competitiveness through Business Location Decisions 
Steve Etcher, Manager, Location Strategies, MarksNelson
​The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) identifies priorities, objectives, and strategies to address local and regional needs and priorities.  It is a powerful tool to bring partners together to coalesce around key initiatives and has proven its value to attract public investment into regions.  But how can the CEDS be better leveraged to attract new private investment into America’s regions?  More specifically, how can the CEDS be used to support and encourage new business attraction and business growth opportunities? This brief helps the reader better understand what influences business location decisions and how to increase a region’s business growth and attraction competitiveness.