Kelly, Carper, Capito, Cramer Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize the Economic Development Administration

Kelly’s bipartisan bill would reauthorize the EDA for first time in nearly 20 years

This week, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, respectively, along with EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the first time in nearly 20 years. The legislation will be voted on in the committee next week—a critical step towards becoming law.   

The Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 makes key reforms to modernize EDA’s core programs and authorizes activities such as workforce development and disaster assistance. This bill would also authorize and update the laws pertaining to certain federal regional commissions, as well as establish two new regional commissions. It also includes Kelly’s ONSHORE Act and key provisions of Kelly’s Invest in Our Communities Act. 

“By providing economic development opportunities in rural and tribal communities, onshoring critical manufacturing supply chains, and permanently authorizing Arizona’s Southwest Border Regional Commission, our bipartisan bill will help communities in every corner of the country thrive,” said Kelly. “In crafting this bill, I heard from Arizona mayors, county supervisors, economic development planners, and business leaders to ensure the Economic Development Administration meets the challenges and opportunities of the future. As chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I appreciate the work that went into this from Republicans and Democrats and look forward to seeing our bipartisan compromise get signed into law.”  

“Modernizing the Economic Development Administration’s mission and funding levels is Congress’ responsibility and long overdue. This bill provides critical updates to the agency’s programs and initiatives and will better support EDA’s mission to facilitate locally-driven economic growth. This reauthorization emphasizes hard infrastructure and workforce development while including specific reforms to benefit the small, rural communities across North Dakota,” said Cramer.  

“The Economic Development Administration is driving our nation’s job growth, building resilient supply chains, and investing in our local economies,” said Carper. “Reauthorizing the EDA will give this critical agency the tools and resources it needs to better support local businesses and organizations and equip our communities with climate-resilient infrastructure, in turn strengthening both local and regional job creation and our competitiveness abroad. I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their partnership in writing this legislation to empower the EDA for years to come.”    

“The Economic Development Administration is a critical partner for many of our communities, helping to drive investment, create jobs, and grow local economies across West Virginia,” said Capito. “It is past time for Congress to reauthorize the EDA and I’m excited to partner with Chairman Carper, Senator Cramer, and Senator Kelly to introduce the bipartisan Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024. This legislation will help preserve locally-driven economic development decisions and ensure core programs that fund a range of activities, including infrastructure projects, will continue for years to come.”  

Click here for a summary of the bill. Click here for a section-by-section summary. Click here for the full bill text.