CSPDC News; August, 2020
In August the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants totaling $1.6 million to four EDA Economic Development District organizations in Virginia, including the CSPDC. On behalf of the region, the CSPDC hosted Mr. Dana Gartzke, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Congressman Ben Cline, grant recipients, government officials, and key stakeholders for an award announcement at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on August 24.
The four grant recipients include CSPDC, Crater Planning District Commission, Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, and West Piedmont Planning District Commission. Each district will receive $400,000 to use to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. The CSPDC plans to develop short- and long-term recovery efforts to expand teleworking opportunities, restart the tourism industry, support small businesses, and strengthen the supply chain of agricultural goods. Efforts also will engage local governments and the business community in creating a region-wide Recovery and Resiliency Plan.
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.