
Gunnison County, Colo. Commissioner John Messner testifies April 9 on behalf of NACo on the importance of the U.S. Economic Development Administration before a House subcommittee. Photo by Chris Wathen
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County NewsAs President Trump targets the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for elimination in his 2020 budget proposal, counties are touting the Commerce Department agency as a boost to local economies.Economic Development Administration on chopping block?
-
County News Article
Economic Development Administration on chopping block?
As President Trump targets the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for elimination in his 2020 budget proposal, counties are touting the Commerce Department agency as a boost to local economies.
“I have seen firsthand the difference EDA can make in mitigating the economic downturn and in supporting efforts to create a stable and diversified economy in Gunnison County,” said Gunnison County, Colo. Commissioner John Messner. He discussed the EDA’s role in economic development and recovery April 9 before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development. Messner, who serves on NACo’s Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Steering Committee, testified on behalf of NACo.
Created in 1965, the EDA helps with many areas of economic growth including infrastructure investment, business development, loans and financing, innovation strategies, economic recovery, job creation and job growth.
With a $300 million annual budget, the EDA helped create and retain more than 275,000 private sector jobs and attracted more than $39 billion in private investment in the last six years, according to Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), who chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Development.
Gunnison County and neighboring Delta County long relied on the coal mining industry and have faced negative economic impacts from coal mine closures, resulting from competition with natural gas production. Of four operating coal mines in the area, three shut down, leaving one that still operates. More than 1,700 jobs were lost.
Declining tax revenues following mine closures changed the county’s economic development strategy. The county has struggled to diversify the economy and provide alternative job opportunities.
“EDA’s engagement, financing and support have been integral to our economic revitalization following the coal mining industry downturn,” he said.
The EDA's $650,000 grant allowed the county to create an innovation center, “The ICELab,” which stands for the “innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship” lab at Western Colorado University. Titus added that the EDA should look into additional ways to bolster university partnerships for economic development opportunities.
The ICELab gives local businesses and entrepreneurs a space to collaborate, compete for funding and have access to a work space. The lab has generated entrepreneurial success stories, such as the development of hardware equipment for the fire-fighting industry and the development of an invention that automates irrigation water pipelines on farms.
“These businesses have created new jobs, diversified our economy and filled a much-needed gap,” Messner said. The ICELab leveraged other state and local funding opportunities for the county, encouraging entrepreneurs to stay in the area.
“Without assistance provided by EDA, we would still be facing intense economic difficulties,” Messner said during his testimony.
As President Trump targets the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for elimination in his 2020 budget proposal, counties are touting the Commerce Department agency as a boost to local economies.2019-04-15County News Article2023-04-11
As President Trump targets the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for elimination in his 2020 budget proposal, counties are touting the Commerce Department agency as a boost to local economies.
“I have seen firsthand the difference EDA can make in mitigating the economic downturn and in supporting efforts to create a stable and diversified economy in Gunnison County,” said Gunnison County, Colo. Commissioner John Messner. He discussed the EDA’s role in economic development and recovery April 9 before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development. Messner, who serves on NACo’s Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Steering Committee, testified on behalf of NACo.
Created in 1965, the EDA helps with many areas of economic growth including infrastructure investment, business development, loans and financing, innovation strategies, economic recovery, job creation and job growth.
With a $300 million annual budget, the EDA helped create and retain more than 275,000 private sector jobs and attracted more than $39 billion in private investment in the last six years, according to Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), who chairs the Subcommittee on Economic Development.
Gunnison County and neighboring Delta County long relied on the coal mining industry and have faced negative economic impacts from coal mine closures, resulting from competition with natural gas production. Of four operating coal mines in the area, three shut down, leaving one that still operates. More than 1,700 jobs were lost.
Declining tax revenues following mine closures changed the county’s economic development strategy. The county has struggled to diversify the economy and provide alternative job opportunities.
“EDA’s engagement, financing and support have been integral to our economic revitalization following the coal mining industry downturn,” he said.
The EDA's $650,000 grant allowed the county to create an innovation center, “The ICELab,” which stands for the “innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship” lab at Western Colorado University. Titus added that the EDA should look into additional ways to bolster university partnerships for economic development opportunities.
The ICELab gives local businesses and entrepreneurs a space to collaborate, compete for funding and have access to a work space. The lab has generated entrepreneurial success stories, such as the development of hardware equipment for the fire-fighting industry and the development of an invention that automates irrigation water pipelines on farms.
“These businesses have created new jobs, diversified our economy and filled a much-needed gap,” Messner said. The ICELab leveraged other state and local funding opportunities for the county, encouraging entrepreneurs to stay in the area.
“Without assistance provided by EDA, we would still be facing intense economic difficulties,” Messner said during his testimony.

-
Webinar
Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition
May. 25, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmThis BRECC National Network session, entitled Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition, will present three pillars for coal community revitalization and share resources from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). -
Blog
Looking beyond economic assets to find your community’s 'sweet spot'
“Building a strong and resilient economy starts with creating a great community where people want to live and work.” This was the key takeaway of a study published by Community Builders, a non-profit organization specializing in creating more livable -
Blog
New Economic Recovery Corps Will Place Economic Development Fellows Nationwide
NACo is pleased to partner with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to launch the -
Blog
EDA opens applications for Phase l of Tech Hubs program
On May 12, the Economic Development Administration published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Phase I of its Regional Technology and Innovation Hub program. Counties may not apply as sole applicants but are eligible to apply within a consortia. -
Blog
Senate and House reintroduce legislation to strengthen the LIHTC
On May 11, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 was reintroduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). -
Blog
How counties are taking control of constituent communication
This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Indigov. Enhance your government outreach! Discover the best strategies for effective constituent communication in our latest blog.
-
Basic page
Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential,
Contact
Related Resources
-
Blog
Looking beyond economic assets to find your community’s 'sweet spot'
“Building a strong and resilient economy starts with creating a great community where people want to live and work.” This was the key takeaway of a study published by Community Builders, a non-profit organization specializing in creating more livable -
Blog
New Economic Recovery Corps Will Place Economic Development Fellows Nationwide
NACo is pleased to partner with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to launch the -
Blog
Senate and House reintroduce legislation to strengthen the LIHTC
On May 11, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 was reintroduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.).
-
Reports & Toolkits
Housing Affordability for America's Counties
Housing is one of the basic needs for healthy, safe and vibrant communities. Some research estimates a housing shortage of more than 3.8 million units across the country. County voices are instrumental in community planning, land use, zoning and enacting policies and other regulations that affect housing. -
Reports & Toolkits
County Economic Trends
County Economies Grew by 5.9 Percent Between 2020 and 2021 Percent change in county GDP between 2020 and 2021. -
Policy Brief
Restore Funding for HUD's Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program
Urge your Members of Congress to restore funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program to at least $2.1 billion as Congress begins to consider funding for FY 2024. The HOME program, funded through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) appropriations bill, was cut by 50 percent between FY 2010 and FY 2016. Although the HOME program has received annual increases or level funding since 2016, funding levels remain short of the $1.8 billion FY 2010 level.
More From
-
Housing Solutions Matchmaker Tool
The housing policy matchmaker aspires to be a resource for local officials, providing information that assists in understanding the elements of local housing markets, identifying key challenges and providing resources on policies that might help enhance the local housing landscape.
Learn More