Economic Development

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 6 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the sixth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began August 16. Results will be released weekly August 26 to October 21. New content in the SBPS Phase 6 covers difficulties hiring employees, new workplace norms, changes in demand for goods or services, and price changes…

SBA: Moratorium Announced on Bona Fide Place of Business Requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced a moratorium on the requirement that participants in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program must establish a bona fide place of business in a specific geographic area in order to be awarded any construction contract through the 8(a) Program due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.  The moratorium is effective August 25, 2021,…

EDA: $915,210 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Travel and Tourism Sectors in Las Vegas, NV

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $915,120 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Nevada System of Higher Education, Las Vegas, Nevada, to support the post-pandemic revitalization of Nevada’s travel and tourism sectors. This EDA grant, to be matched with $228,780 in local investment, is expected to create…

EDA: $644,045 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Support Manufacturing Research and Workforce Development at the University of South Alabama

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $644,045 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the University of South Alabama in Mobile, to renovate the Laboratory for Additive Manufacturing, creating a cyber research hub and supporting workforce development efforts. This EDA grant will be matched with $161,011 in local investment….

SBA: PPP Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal Surpasses Expectations and Accepts More than 340,000 Submissions in First Two Weeks

SBA portal significantly outpacing top PPP lenders not utilizing the Agency’s direct forgiveness tool in forgiveness submissions Since the opening of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal on August 4, the U.S. Small Business Administration has received more than 340,000 submissions from borrowers with PPP loans of $150,000 or less, highlighting Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman’s priority of rushing relief to the smallest of small businesses and far exceeding expectations.  In providing its new, streamlined portal, the SBA is also executing…

EDA: $2.65 Million Invested to Boost Business Growth and Workforce Development Efforts in West Virginia

U.S. Economic Development Administration Investments Expected to Create or Retain Nearly 1,000 Jobs and Generate $21.3 Million in Private Investment Today, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2.65 million in grants to support business development and workforce…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 6 Begins

The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the beginning of data collection for Phase 6 of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). This experimental survey was designed and launched in April 2020 to measure temporal economic trends in the nation’s small businesses and provide insight into the scope of impact of the pandemic response in the United States….

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Launches STEM Talent Challenge to Fuel Nation’s Growing Innovation

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the launch of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) STEM Talent Challenge to support programs to train science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent and fuel regional innovation economies across the nation. The $2 million STEM Talent Challenge will provide funding for work-and-learn programs to increase America’s STEM-capable workforce…

EDA: $5.1 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Invested to Improve Marine Cargo Infrastructure in Hoonah, AK

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.1 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the city of Hoonah, Alaska, to make critical infrastructure improvements to the Hoonah Marine Industrial Center Cargo Dock. This EDA grant is expected to create or retain nearly…

EDA: $2.6 Million in CARES Act Recovery Asssistance Invested to Support Hospital Business Park Improvements in Shelburne, IN

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the town of Shelburn, Indiana, to construct new water infrastructure and provide an adequate water supply and fire suppression capacity at the town’s Sullivan County Community Hospital Business…