Economic & Community Development

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

SMEDD is responsible for coordinating the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is an economic growth and development strategy which allows communities in York and Cumberland Counties to become eligible for funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA).

EDA provides grants to support planning and infrastructure in rural and urban areas experiencing economic distress due to high unemployment, low income, mass layoffs, closure of federal facilities, natural disasters, depletion of natural resources, or changing trade patterns.

Eligible communities in York and Cumberland Counties must apply for EDA funds through SMEDD. In addition to meeting economic distress criteria, eligible communities must include their projects in the CEDS.

Click here for a Project Development form.

Click here for the EDA grant application for the Portland-Westbrook Biotechnology District (27mb)

Click here for a pdf version of the 2009 GPCOG CEDS (24 mb and 321 pages)

Click here for a pdf version of the 2008 GPCOG CEDS (16.5 mb)

Click here for a pdf version of the 2007 GPCOG CEDS (short version)

Click here for a pdf version of the 2007 GPCOG CEDS (long version-15 mb)

Click here for a pdf version of the 2007 SMRPC CEDS.

Staff

For more information, contact Caroline Paras , Community and Economic Planner