August 16, 2022

EDA: Grantees Announced Under 2022 University Center Competition

26 Colleges and Universities in EDA’s Atlanta and Seattle Regions to Host EDA University Center Economic Development Technical Assistance Programs; Nearly One-Third of Selected Institutions Are Minority Serving

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today announced the grantees of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2022 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. EDA is providing a total of $3.1 million in grants to 26 colleges and universities in 16 states to administer programs to leverage their assets, promote innovation and strengthen regional economies.

“President Biden is dedicated to ensuring the availability of resources that entrepreneurs and communities need to be successful,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Support from institutions of higher education is a critical component in developing the knowledge-building ecosystem needed to ensure America’s innovation economy thrives.”

“Economic Development Administration investments play an important role in advancing locally-led economic development strategies that create stronger, more resilient regional economies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to support the institutions designated or redesignated as University Centers today, and to expand the reach of the University Center Economic Development Program to more Minority Serving Institutions.”

The grantees from EDA’s Atlanta Regional Office are:

The grantees from EDA’s Seattle Regional Office are:

EDA prioritizes economic development planning or implementation projects that advance equity across America through investments that directly benefit traditionally underserved populations.

Approximately 28 percent of applicant institutions for UC designation under this competition were Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), which represents a 38 percent increase in the number of applications from MSIs received in FY2022 versus FY2017, the last year in which institutions of higher education in the Atlanta and Seattle regions were eligible to apply to the University Center Economic Development Program. Eight of the 26 institutions ultimately selected in the FY2022 University Center Economic Development Program competition are MSIs, or approximately 31 percent of the total institutions selected.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

This post was originally published here.