NWCTEDC CEDS 2010-2015 LHCEO CEDS 2004-2009 CEDS Requirements U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES CEDS - SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS Introduction: A comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies.  The CEDS should analyze the regional economy and serve as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, developing and implementing a regional plan of action, and identifying investment priorities and funding sources.  A CEDS integrates a region's human and physical capital planning in the service of economic development.  Integrated economic development planning provides the flexibility to adapt to global economic conditions and fully utilize the region's unique advantages to maximize economic opportunity for its residents by attracting the private investment that creates jobs for the region's residents.  A CEDS must be the result of a continuing economic development planning process developed with broad-based and diverse public and private sector participation, and must set forth the goals and objectives necessary to solve the economic development problems of the region and clearly define the metrics of success. Finally, a CEDS provides a useful benchmark by which a regional economy can evaluate opportunities with other regions in the national economy. Who should develop a CEDS?  A Planning Organization seeking to formulate and implement a regional economic development program will benefit from developing a CEDS.  Successful economic development efforts are based on CEDS that provide an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies.  The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (PWEDA), requires a CEDS in order to apply for investment assistance under EDA's Public Works or Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs.  At EDA's discretion, EDA may accept CEDS that it has funded or CEDS prepared independently of EDA investment assistance or oversight.