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EDA Economic Adjustment Assistance.

EDA's flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance program supports planning and implementation in regions facing adverse economic change.

Offered byU.S. Economic Development Administrationverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

The program can address a plant closure, long-term industry decline, disaster, or another major economic disruption through planning, infrastructure, or a revolving loan fund. Chester-area work should be coordinated with the regional economic-development district and CEDS.

Best for: A regional response to economic disruption that combines strategy, infrastructure, and business-capital tools.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Eligible governments, districts, tribes, institutions of higher education, and qualifying nonprofit organizations

Applicants excluded by the source

  • For-profit firms applying directly

Eligible uses

  • Strategy grants
  • Implementation grants
  • Market and environmental studies
  • Public infrastructure
  • Capitalization or recapitalization of eligible revolving loan funds

Uses excluded by the source

  • Projects without eligible economic distress and strategy alignment
  • Direct business grants

Application

How to start.

  1. Define the adverse economic change and regional impact.
  2. Coordinate with the regional economic-development district and EDA Chicago Regional Office.
  3. Confirm CEDS alignment, applicant eligibility, match, and readiness, then submit through EDA's EDGE portal.

Timing: The current PWEAA framework is ongoing until superseded or funds are exhausted; confirm with EDA.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Must respond to eligible economic distress and align with an approved CEDS or equivalent strategy.

Can integrate planning, public infrastructure, and an intermediary-operated RLF without duplicating costs.

Evidence

Official sources.