A CEDS integrates a region's human and physical capital planning in the service of economic development. Integrated economic development planning provides the flexibility to adapt to global economic conditions and fully utilize the region's unique advantages to maximize economic opportunity for its residents. A CEDS is the result of a continuing economic development planning process developed with broad-based and diverse public and private sector participation. A CEDS must set forth goals and objectives necessary to solve economic development problems of the region and must clearly define metrics of success. Finally, a CEDS provides a useful benchmark by which a regional economy can evaluate opportunities with other regions in the national economy.
A CEDS is a precondition for funding under most of the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) grant funding programs. CEDS documents provide regions with an additional funding avenue for public infrastructure improvements that support regional economic development and alleviate economic development problems in a region.
Please visit the US EDA website for more information on CEDS documents, EDA funding programs, and the laws and regulations that apply to CEDS planning and other EDA programs.