Introduction and Purpose

The CEDS, funded by the Economic Development Administration – U.S. Department of Commerce, serves as a roadmap that aggregates and synthesizes economic development initiatives throughout the Alamo region and provides clarity on how the regional economy will diversify and strengthen over a five-year period (2018-2023). Regions must update their CEDS at least every five years to qualify for EDA assistance under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. In addition, a CEDS is a prerequisite for designation by the (EDA) as an Economic Development District (EDD).

The Alamo Area Council of Government’s CEDS was developed through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. AACOG’s area stakeholders have a history of working together to integrate and leverage each other’s local regional planning goals, objectives, tasks and project efforts. In developing the CEDS, AACOG inventoried and reviewed existing economic development plans, reports, initiatives and strategies underway in the AACOG 13-county areas, collaborations and economic development initiatives were incorporated into the CEDS to create a collective regional strategy-driven plan.

AACOG also engaged the CEDS Strategy Committee and community partners to contribute and validate the draft analysis and goals and benchmarks assessed in the CEDS.