Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) applauded a $420,000 award to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission and River Valley Regional Commission. As a leader on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Bishop works to robustly fund the Economic Development Administration (EDA) which provided these grants.
Each regional commission will receive $210,000 to develop and create a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). These strategies will provide the context for policies, programs, and capital investments that governments can use to cultivate business and retain residents, create jobs, and encourage private investment.
“I strongly support funding for our regional commissions. Awards like this allows them to increase awareness about useful resources, provide technical expertise, and help connect local governments and businesses with one another,” said Congressman Bishop. “This is especially important for smaller and underserved communities whose resources are often stretched thin and who can benefit from the strategic guidance and assistance provided by these commissions.”
“This award continues a decades-long partnership between the River Valley Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration. Past support from the EDA allowed us to hire a broadband planner that facilitated connections between local governments and internet providers, putting them in the best position to secure support for broadband infrastructure projects funded by federal and state investments through the American Rescue Plan Act,” said River Valley Regional Commission Executive Director Jim Livingston. “These new funds for our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy are part of our larger effort to continue preparing local communities and governments for new opportunities in the future.”
“This award allows the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission to develop a strategic plan with broad reaching goals to sustain and grow our regional economy. We are glad to continue our longstanding partnership with the EDA which has allowed us to hire economic development staff that works directly with the communities we serve to provide technical support and grant-writing assistance,” said Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Executive Director Suzanne Angell. “Today’s funds support our ongoing effort to increasingly leverage local resources as well as promote partnerships that create jobs, income, and wealth within our communities.”
Altogether, the CEDS produced by Southwest Georgia Regional Commission and River Valley Regional Commission will help 26 counties in Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District, including: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Terrell as well as Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Sumter, Schley, Stewart, Talbot, Taylor, and Webster Counties.
Original source can be found here.
