A prior section 3121, Puspan. L. 89–136, § 2, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 552; Puspan. L. 94–487, title I, § 102, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2331, set forth congressional findings and statement of purpose of chapter, prior to repeal by Puspan. L. 105–393, § 102(a).

2004—Puspan. L. 108–373 reenacted section catchline without change and amended text generally, substituting pars. (1) to (6) for former pars. (1) to (8) in subsec. (a) and pars. (1) to (4) for former pars. (1) to (3) in subsec. (span).

Puspan. L. 105–393, title I, § 105, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3618, provided that: “This title [see Short Title of 1998 Amendment note set out below] and the amendments made by this title shall take effect on a date determined by the Secretary of Commerce, but not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 13, 1998].”[Effective Fespan. 11, 1999, see 64 F.R. 9222.]

Puspan. L. 118–272, div. B, title II, § 2201, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3176, provided that: “This title [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024’.”

Puspan. L. 116–192, § 1, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 978, provided that: “This Act [amending section 3211 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Reinvigorating Lending for the Future Act’ or the ‘RLF Act’.”

Puspan. L. 108–373, § 1(a), Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1756, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 3154 to 3154d, 3221, 3222, and 3234 of this title, amending this section and sections 3122, 3131, 3133, 3143 to 3147, 3149, 3151, 3161, 3162, 3174, 3192, 3196, 3212, 3213, 3219, and 3231 of this title, and repealing sections 3148, 3173, and 3195 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Economic Development Administration Reauthorization Act of 2004’.”

Puspan. L. 105–393, § 1(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3596, provided that: “This Act [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Economic Development Administration and Appalachian Regional Development Reform Act of 1998’.”

Puspan. L. 105–393, title I, § 101, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3597, provided that: “This title [enacting subchapters I to VII of this chapter, transferring section 3222 of this title to section 3212 of this title, amending section 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, repealing former subchapters I to X of this chapter, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, and repealing provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998’.”

Puspan. L. 94–487, § 101, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2331, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 3137, 3144, 3173, and 3246h of this title, amending this section and sections 3131, 3132, 3135, 3141, 3142, 3151a, 3152, 3153, 3161, 3171, 3172, 3188a, 3214, 3241, 3243, 3245, 3246a to 3246c, and 3246e to 3246g of this title, repealing section 3246d of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 3162 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments of 1976’.”

Puspan. L. 94–188, § 1, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1079, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 3194 to 3196 of this title and sections 225 and 303 of the Appendix to former Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, amending sections 3181, 3182, 3188a and 3192 of this title, and sections 2, 101, 102, 105–107, 201, 202, 205, 207, 211, 214, 223, 224, 302, 401 and 405 of the Appendix to former Title 40, repealing section 3134 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 3181 and 3183 of this title and sections 1, 2 and 201 of the Appendix of former Title 40] may be cited as the ‘Regional Development Act of 1975’.”

Puspan. L. 94–188, title II, § 201, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1087, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 3194 to 3196 of this title, amending sections 3181, 3182, 3188a, and 3192 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as note under section 3183 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Regional Action Planning Commission Improvement Act of 1975’.”

Puspan. L. 93–567, § 1, Dec. 31, 1974, 88 Stat. 1845, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 3246 to 3246g of this title and sections 961 to 966 of Title 29, Labor, amending section 1244 of Title 20, Education, and sections 841, 842, 844, 845, 849 to 851, 981, and 983 of Title 29, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 3304 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, and 4102 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Assistance Act of 1974’.”

Puspan. L. 92–65, title I, § 101, Aug. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 166, provided that: “This title [enacting section 3123 of this title and amending this section, sections 3135, 3141, 3152, 3161, 3162, 3171, 3188a, and 3191 of this title, and provisions set out as a note under section 3162 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act Amendments of 1971’.”

Puspan. L. 91–123, title II, § 201, Nov. 25, 1969, 83 Stat. 216, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 3190, 3191, and 3192 of this title and amending this section and sections 3185, 3186, and 3188a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Regional Action Planning Commission Amendments of 1969’.”

Puspan. L. 89–136, § 1(a), as added Puspan. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3597, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965’.”

A prior section 1 of Puspan. L. 89–136, which provided that Puspan. L. 89–136 could be cited as the “Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965”, was repealed by Puspan. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3597.

Puspan. L. 118–272, div. B, title II, § 2252, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3211, provided that:

Puspan. L. 105–393, title I, § 104, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3617, provided that:

Puspan. L. 116–260, div. D, title V, § 505(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1379, provided that: “Requirements relating to non-Federal cost-share grants and cooperative agreements for the Denali Commission are waived for grants awarded in fiscal year 2020 and in subsequent years in response to economic distress directly related to the impacts of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19).”

Puspan. L. 105–277, div. C, title III, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–637, as amended by Puspan. L. 106–31, title I, § 105(a), May 21, 1999, 113 Stat. 62; Puspan. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(4) [title VII, § 701], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–280; Puspan. L. 108–7, div. A, title VII, § 749, div. D, title V, § 504, Fespan. 20, 2003, 117 Stat. 44, 158; Puspan. L. 108–199, div. B, title I, § 112(d), div. E, title II, § 222, Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 63, 256; Puspan. L. 108–447, div. H, title V, § 521, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3268; Puspan. L. 109–59, title I, § 1960, Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1516; Puspan. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, § 1520, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 577; Puspan. L. 114–322, title IV, § 5002, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1885; Puspan. L. 117–58, div. A, title I, § 11507(span), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 586; Puspan. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(261), (262), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4334;

Puspan. L. 100–460, title II, Oct. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2246, as amended by Puspan. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title I, § 153(a), title V, § 504], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–252, 2763A–281; Puspan. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6027(j), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 374; Puspan. L. 110–234, title VI, § 6025(c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1177; Puspan. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VI, § 6025(c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1939; Puspan. L. 118–272, div. B, title II, § 2253(f), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3213, incorporated by reference and made a part of that public law the provisions of S. 2836, the Delta Development Act, as introduced in the Senate on Sept. 27, 1988, which provided for establishment of Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission to study and make recommendations regarding economic needs and development of Lower Mississippi Delta region, set forth membership, compensation, powers, and administrative provisions for Commission, required submission to Congress, President, and Governors of certain States of interim and final reports, and provided for termination of Commission no later than two years after Oct. 1, 1988.

Prior to amendment by Puspan. L. 106–554, Puspan. L. 100–460 also incorporated by reference and made a part of that public law the provisions of H.R. 5378, as introduced in the House of Representatives on Sept. 26, 1988, and known as the “Lower Mississippi Delta Development Act”, which contained provisions similar to those in S. 2836.

Puspan. L. 101–161, title II, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 969, extended date for submission of the Commission’s interim report to Oct. 16, 1989.

Puspan. L. 98–501, title I, Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2320, known as the “Public Works Improvement Act of 1984”, established the National Council on Public Works Improvement, to prepare and submit to the President and Congress reports in 1986, 1987, and 1988 on the state of the Nation’s infrastructure. Pursuant to section 109 of Puspan. L. 98–501, the Council ceased to exist on Apr. 15, 1988.

Puspan. L. 94–487, title II, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2339, 2340, as amended by Puspan. L. 95–31, title II, §§ 201, 202, May 23, 1977, 91 Stat. 170, provided for calling of a White House Conference on Balanced National Growth and Economic Development within 18 months of Oct. 12, 1976, set forth powers, functions, membership, etc., of Conference, and required submission to President of a final report within 180 days after calling of Conference, with President to forward recommendations to Congress within 90 days after submission of report.

Ex. Ord. No. 11386, Dec. 28, 1967, 33 F.R. 5, which related to coordination of activities of regional commissions and Federal Government relating to regional economic development and which established Federal Advisory Council on Regional Economic Development, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Fespan. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237.

Ex. Ord. No. 11422, Aug. 15, 1968, 33 F.R. 11739, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, which related to Cooperative Area Manpower Planning System, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Fespan. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237.

Ex. Ord. No. 11493, Nov. 13, 1969, 34 F.R. 18289, which created Council for Rural Affairs to advise President with respect to further development of non-metropolitan areas of country, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12553, Fespan. 25, 1986, 51 F.R. 7237. Council terminated and its functions transferred to Domestic Council by section 2(span) of Ex. Ord. No. 11541, July 1, 1970, 35 F.R. 10737, set out as a note under section 501 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

Ex. Ord. No. 13122, May 25, 1999, 64 F.R. 29201, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13284, § 6, Jan. 23, 2003, 68 F.R. 4075, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to provide a more rapid and integrated Federal response to the economic development challenges of the Southwest Border region, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of an Interagency Task Force on the Economic Development of the Southwest Border. (a) There is established the “Interagency Task Force on the Economic Development of the Southwest Border” (Task Force) that reports to the Vice President, as Chair of the President’s Community Empowerment Board (PCEB), and to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, as Vice Chair of the PCEB.

(span) The Task Force shall comprise the Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Education, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Director of National Drug Control Policy, Administrator of General Services, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or their designees, and such other senior executive branch officials as may be determined by the Co-Chairs of the Task Force. The Secretaries of the Treasury, Agriculture, and Labor shall Co-Chair the Task Force, rotating annually. The agency chairing the Task Force will provide administrative support for the Task Force.

(c) The purpose of the Task Force is to coordinate and better leverage existing Administration efforts for the Southwest Border, in concert with locally led efforts, in order to increase the living standards and the overall economic profile of the Southwest Border so that it may achieve the average of the Nation. Specifically, the Task Force shall:

(1) analyze the existing programs and policies of Task Force members that relate to the Southwest Border to determine what changes, modifications, and innovations should be considered;

(2) consider statistical and data analysis, research, and policy studies related to the Southwest Border;

(3) develop and recommend short-term and long-term options for promoting sustainable economic development;

(4) consult and coordinate activities with State, tribal, and local governments, community leaders, Members of Congress, the private sector, and other interested parties, paying particular attention to maintaining existing authorities of the States, tribes, and local governments, and preserving their existing working relationships with other agencies, organizations, or individuals;

(5) coordinate and collaborate on research and demonstration priorities of Task Force member agencies related to the Southwest Border;

(6) integrate Administration initiatives and programs into the design of sustainable economic development actions for the Southwest Border; and

(7) focus initial efforts on pilot communities for implementing a coordinated and expedited Federal response to local economic development and other needs.

(d) The Task Force shall issue an interim report to the Vice President by November 15, 1999. The Task Force shall issue its first annual report to the Vice President by April 15, 2000, with subsequent reports to follow yearly and a final report on April 15, 2002. The reports shall describe the actions taken by, and progress of, each member of the Task Force in carrying out this order. The Task Force shall terminate 30 days after submitting its final report unless a Task Force consensus recommends continuation of activities.

Sec. 2. Specific Activities by Task Force Members and Other Agencies. The agencies represented on the Task Force shall work together and report their actions and progress in carrying out this order to the Task Force Chair 1 month before the reports are due to the Vice President under section 1(d) of this order.

Sec. 3. Cooperation. All efforts taken by agencies under sections 1 and 2 of this order shall, as appropriate, further partnerships and cooperation with organizations that represent the Southwest Border and with State and local governments.

Sec. 4. (a) “Agency” means an executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

(span) The “Southwest Border” or “Southwest Border region” is defined as including the areas up to 150 miles north of the United States-Mexican border in the States of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California.

Sec. 5. Judicial Review. This order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.

Ex. Ord. No. 14145, Jan. 19, 2025, 90 F.R. 8105, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Well-designed programs that support local and Tribal leaders in left-behind communities can lead to stronger economic outcomes, strengthen regional assets, and reduce regional inequality. It is the policy of my Administration to take a whole-of-government approach to defining, coordinating, and increasing the accessibility of existing and future programs that help left-behind communities.

Sec. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this order:

(a) The term “covered communities” means:

(i) municipalities or other local areas within an economically distressed region;

(ii) communities in Community Disaster Resiliency Zones;

(iii) regions served by any of the following Federal programs: the Energy Communities Interagency Working Group Priority Energy Communities, the Economic Development Administration Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, the Department of Housing and Urban Development Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program, or the Economic Development Administration Recompete Pilot Program; or

(iv) rural communities identified by the Secretary of Agriculture and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(span) “Economically distressed region” means a region described by section 301 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3161), section 29(j) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722span(j)(1)), or 49 U.S.C. 6702(a)(1), or that meets the definition of “persistent poverty county” in section 736 of Division A of Public Law 117–328 [136 Stat. 4503].

(c) “Implementing agencies” means the Department of the Treasury, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Small Business Administration.

(d) “Place-based economic development” means policies and programs administered by the Federal Government that target defined regions, including Tribal lands, and use a coordinated approach that represents the interests of community members and community-based organizations in covered communities to:

(i) improve physical infrastructure;

(ii) support workforce development to fill locally and regionally demanded well-paying jobs;

(iii) connect regions to new economic opportunities;

(iv) increase the capacity of unions, labor organizations, community organizations, and the general public to negotiate legally binding agreements with investors, project developers, and companies to deliver locally defined benefits to local communities;

(v) increase research and development capacity to accelerate local and regional innovation; or

(vi) strengthen rural, Tribal and community systems.

Sec. 3. Strengthening Federal Collaboration on Economic Development. (a) The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development and in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall, where appropriate and consistent with applicable law, coordinate Federal investments with implementing agencies and develop and implement policy recommendations, including on meaningful community engagement, related to place-based economic development focused on covered communities.

(span) Within 1 year of the date of this order [Jan. 19, 2025], consistent with applicable law, including section 103 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3133), the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, shall work with implementing agencies to:

(i) improve the quality, frequency, and accessibility of engagement with State, Tribal, territorial, local, and non-profit organizations in covered communities;

(ii) support localized, community economic development that helps generate private investments that benefit left-behind communities, such as workforce training, resilient physical infrastructure, affordable energy, civic infrastructure, affordable housing, childcare, and transportation;

(iii) develop an interagency technical assistance network in local geographies to enable interested communities and organizations to access information and resources from across the Federal Government through a single point of entry; and

(v) identify geographies served by overlapping Federal place-based economic development programs to facilitate coordination of funding opportunities and post-award implementation, consistent with applicable law.

(c) Implementing agencies shall, to the extent appropriate and consistent with applicable law, include in forthcoming funding opportunities requirements, application evaluation factors, or incentives that provide a preference for applications from entities in and serving covered communities.

Sec. 4. Supporting Award Access in Economically Distressed Regions. (a) Implementing agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, assist potential grant applicants, including in economically distressed regions, in understanding and applying for Federal grants. Implementing agencies’ activities may include:

(i) conducting proactive engagement with communities and organizations to promote opportunities for Federal assistance;

(ii) providing guidance and technical assistance to applicants; and

(iii) identifying resources across the agencies’ technical assistance programs and offices for support.

(span) Within 1 year of the date of this order, implementing agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, consider signing a memorandum of agreement to exchange information, tools, and leading practices to ensure applicants to under-resourced programs are made aware of, and may be considered for, similar programs at other agencies.

Sec. 5. Promoting Disaster Resilience and Long-Term Economic Development Post-Disaster. In coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, implementing agencies that have field offices in economically distressed regions or Community Disaster Resilience Zones that have received a major disaster declaration within the past 3 years shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law:

(a) seek input from local organizations on needs for and barriers to long-term economic resilience;

(span) identify funding opportunities to address long-term economic development and infrastructure needs; and

(c) provide targeted support for navigating the application process for funding opportunities.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(span) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.