The National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship (NACIE) released the “Competitiveness Through Entrepreneurship: A Strategy for U.S. Innovation” report that provided 10 recommendations for how the U.S. can fuel innovation and strengthen its leadership in critical technology. Watch NACIE’s Feb. 8 meeting at the White House.

Economic Recovery Corps Places 65 Fellows

EDA’s Economic Recovery Corps is placing 65 Fellows into economic development organizations throughout the nation. The Fellows will serve two-and-a-half year terms to help organizations develop and execute regional economic development plans and projects in the communities they serve. The inaugural cohort kicked off on February 12 with a four-day networking and workshop event in Portland, Oregon. [Read More]

Tech Hubs Phase 2 Applications Submitted

EDA’s Tech Hubs team is beginning the process of evaluating applications for the Tech Hubs Phase 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity. Thirty-one Tech Hubs Designees were eligible to apply for implementation grants. EDA expects to award implementation funding to 5-10 Designated Tech Hubs, with each of those Hubs receiving approximately $40-$70 million across approximately 3-8 projects. Grants are expected to be announced this summer.

EDA Investment to Redefine Industry Clusters

An EDA Research and National Technical Assistance grant is leading to a complete revision of industry cluster definitions to harmonize them with the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The grant to Purdue Center for Regional Development will ensure industry clusters can be effective in steering the direction and development of local economies. [Read More]

Supporting Tribal Communities

EDA’s Tribal Engagement Coordinator Carolee Wenderoth joined The Leading Ladies of Economic Development Podcast for an in depth look at how EDA is supporting Tribal communities through intentional relationship building and active listening. [Listen Here]

Michigan to host Global Delegation in May

Michigan will host the next Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE), which will be held May 5-10, 2024. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the event’s lead sponsor, and will work in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, and the Organization of American States. The event will include visits in Detroit, East Lansing, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Ann Arbor. [Read More]

Draft SPAED Open for Public Comment

Seafood will increasingly be a critical part of food systems designed to reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change. The interagency Subcommittee on Aquaculture — a statutory subcommittee authorized by the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 that includes representatives from EDA, NOAA, EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agencies — has developed the draft Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development (SPAED) to address primary goals of United States aquaculture development. The SPAED is the third of three chapters of a broader National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP) which is intended to support the future development of economically and ecologically sustainable aquaculture in the U.S. A public comment period for this draft plan is open until April 5, 2024. For more information on the plan, and instructions on how to submit a comment, please refer to the Federal Register announcement.