TCEDA Awarded Grant For Regional Economic Development Strategy

SONORA, CA, February 16, 2012 – Tuolumne County Economic Development Director Larry Cope announced today that a $50,000 financial assistance award was granted to the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) to fund a new regional economic development strategy.

CSEDD, one of 5 federal economic development districts in the State, is now under management of the TCEDA. The CSEDD board contracted with the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) for one-year to complete last year’s annual update of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This federal grant provides funding for TCEDA to prepare the next 5-year CEDS on behalf of 5 counties and 7 cities: Tuolumne, Mariposa, Calaveras, Alpine and Amador counties and City of Sonora, City of Angels Camp and the 5 Amador counties.

As part of the CEDS report, member entities are encouraged to submit narratives for infrastructure projects, including: sewer, water, connector roads, broadband gaps, biomass, “waste to energy” and forest-related projects. Two main criteria for these projects are job creation for long-term employment opportunities and public/private collaborations. Engineering, planning studies and land acquisition also may be fundable. So far, over 70 infrastructure projects have been submitted to TCEDA from private developers, public utilities, engineering firms, and member counties and cities throughout the region. The new CEDS will also include county and regional demographic information on unemployment, industry clusters, and economic development strategy.

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce whose mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA implements this mission by making strategic investments in the nation’s most economically distressed communities that encourage private sector collaboration and creation of higher-skill, living wage jobs. EDA investments are results driven, embracing the principles of technological innovation, entrepreneurship and regional development.

“I am encouraged and excited by this federal investment in a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region,” commented TCEDA Executive Director Larry Cope.

For more information, contact Larry Cope at (209) 989-4058 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .