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Glossary

Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Program Definition and Meaning

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Program is a federal grant initiative designed to help distressed communities across the U.S. revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure. The big goal? To spark economic growth, attract new businesses, encourage local investment, and create or retain long-term jobs-especially in places that have faced tough times due to things like plant closures, natural disasters, or shifts in the economy.

What Does the Public Works Program Do?

At its core, the EDA Public Works Program funds capital improvements that make a real difference for local economies. That means supporting projects like:

  • Building or upgrading water and sewer systems

  • Developing industrial parks and workforce training facilities

  • Expanding shipping, logistics, and port infrastructure

  • Improving telecommunications and broadband networks

  • Revitalizing brownfields (previously used or contaminated land)

  • Outfitting business and industrial parks with modern technology

The idea is to give communities the tools they need to become more competitive, attract private investment, and create a strong foundation for long-term job growth.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to a wide range of applicants, including:

  • State and local governments

  • Federally recognized Tribal governments or consortia

  • Special district governments

  • Nonprofits working in partnership with local governments

  • Public and private institutions of higher education

Projects must be located in regions that meet certain economic distress criteria, like high unemployment or low per capita income. The focus is on places that need a boost to get back on their feet and compete in today’s economy.

How Does Funding Work?

EDA Public Works grants typically range from $600,000 to $5 million. The federal government usually covers 50% to 80% of the total project cost, with the applicant responsible for the rest. In some cases, like for federally recognized Tribal projects, the federal share can go up to 100%. Funding is discretionary, meaning it’s awarded based on a competitive application process and the needs of the community.

What Makes a Project Competitive?

To get funding, projects must align with a region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or an equivalent plan. This ensures that the investment fits into a broader vision for local growth and resilience. The EDA looks for projects that will:

  • Directly create or retain high-quality, long-term jobs

  • Leverage private investment

  • Strengthen local and regional economies

  • Improve infrastructure in ways that support business and workforce development

Real-World Impact

The EDA Public Works Program has helped communities build everything from state-of-the-art business parks to modern water treatment plants. These investments often lead to new businesses setting up shop, existing companies expanding, and more people finding good jobs close to home. The ripple effect can be huge-improved infrastructure attracts even more investment, boosts local tax bases, and helps communities weather future economic challenges.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there’s no need to wait for a specific deadline. Interested applicants should work closely with their EDA regional office and ensure their project is well-aligned with local economic development plans. The process can be competitive, so strong proposals clearly show how the project will drive economic growth and benefit the broader community.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Public Works Program is a federal grant initiative designed to help distressed communities across the U.S. revitalize, expand, and upgrade their physical infrastructure. The big goal? To spark economic growth, attract new businesses, encourage local investment, and create or retain long-term jobs-especially in places that have faced tough times due to things like plant closures, natural disasters, or shifts in the economy.

What Does the Public Works Program Do?

At its core, the EDA Public Works Program funds capital improvements that make a real difference for local economies. That means supporting projects like:

  • Building or upgrading water and sewer systems

  • Developing industrial parks and workforce training facilities

  • Expanding shipping, logistics, and port infrastructure

  • Improving telecommunications and broadband networks

  • Revitalizing brownfields (previously used or contaminated land)

  • Outfitting business and industrial parks with modern technology

The idea is to give communities the tools they need to become more competitive, attract private investment, and create a strong foundation for long-term job growth.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to a wide range of applicants, including:

  • State and local governments

  • Federally recognized Tribal governments or consortia

  • Special district governments

  • Nonprofits working in partnership with local governments

  • Public and private institutions of higher education

Projects must be located in regions that meet certain economic distress criteria, like high unemployment or low per capita income. The focus is on places that need a boost to get back on their feet and compete in today’s economy.

How Does Funding Work?

EDA Public Works grants typically range from $600,000 to $5 million. The federal government usually covers 50% to 80% of the total project cost, with the applicant responsible for the rest. In some cases, like for federally recognized Tribal projects, the federal share can go up to 100%. Funding is discretionary, meaning it’s awarded based on a competitive application process and the needs of the community.

What Makes a Project Competitive?

To get funding, projects must align with a region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or an equivalent plan. This ensures that the investment fits into a broader vision for local growth and resilience. The EDA looks for projects that will:

  • Directly create or retain high-quality, long-term jobs

  • Leverage private investment

  • Strengthen local and regional economies

  • Improve infrastructure in ways that support business and workforce development

Real-World Impact

The EDA Public Works Program has helped communities build everything from state-of-the-art business parks to modern water treatment plants. These investments often lead to new businesses setting up shop, existing companies expanding, and more people finding good jobs close to home. The ripple effect can be huge-improved infrastructure attracts even more investment, boosts local tax bases, and helps communities weather future economic challenges.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there’s no need to wait for a specific deadline. Interested applicants should work closely with their EDA regional office and ensure their project is well-aligned with local economic development plans. The process can be competitive, so strong proposals clearly show how the project will drive economic growth and benefit the broader community.