As noted above, EDAs 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.
Pursuant to its Research and Evaluation program, EDA seeks applications to research, develop,
and disseminate metrics to enable policymakers and practitioners to more effectively understand how to assess the triple bottom line (economic, environmental, and social impacts) of various economic development activities.
EDA makes grant investments that support and foster economic development in distressed regions.
Currently, EDAs primary measure for assessing potential investments focuses on economic outcomes (e.g., the amount of private investment leveraged and the number of jobs created and retained).
For reporting to stakeholders, EDA employs forecasts of these performance measures in its competitive grant selection process and post-award administration.
EDA seeks to broaden its perspective using a more comprehensive, triple bottom line, approach.
The study is intended to provide the tools to implement this approach.
EDA solicits competitive applications from organizations or consortia that will build on the existing body of research and experience related to the triple bottom line concept to identify, develop, and disseminate appropriate metrics for practitioners and policymakers to utilize to assess the broad array of impacts that economic development efforts have in their regions.
EDA solicits applications from qualified researchers to accomplish the project tasks and scope of work described in the FFO announcement.
A link to the FFO is provided below under "Full Announcement Link."