Title
Proposed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Projects (B)
This item involves proposing a list of ten projects within the City of Gainesville to the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council's CEDS Strategy Committee that could be eligible for future Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding.
Explanation
The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council serves as the entity that administers programs for the eleven county Federal Economic Development District principally through the Federal Department of Commerce and Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Annually, a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is developed for the region and as part of this effort, a prospective economic development project list is developed. Any prospective regional project that is seeking supportive Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding must be included on this CEDS project list.
This year, in an effort to enhance funding prospects for regional projects, a CEDS Strategy Committee has been formed from amongst members of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council's representative jurisdictions to review proposed projects from affected jurisdictions in the eleven county Economic Development District in an effort to refine and prioritize them. A list of approximately twenty five regional projects will then be submitted to the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as part of the CEDS Strategy report for potential future funding.
North Central Florida Regional Planning Council staff has asked that each affected jurisdiction forward a proposed project list of no more than 10 projects to the Council by January 31, 2006.
A proposed list of ten projects is attached in keeping with EDA funding priorities. The list is comprised of five projects identified as priorities by the City Commission recently for its 2007 Federal Agenda plus an additional five projects deemed important for future area economic development.
Fiscal Note
There is no fiscal impact regarding this item. Should proposed projects ultimately be placed on the final CEDS Strategy Project list for the region, pursuit of funding for the projects is left to the affected jurisdiction.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the proposed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy project list; and, 2) direct staff to forward this information to appropriate North Central Florida Regional Planning Council staff.