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EDA Public Works.

EDA Public Works supports public infrastructure that enables job creation, business expansion, and private investment in distressed communities.

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

Overview

What it does.

A Chester-area public or eligible nonprofit lead may pursue infrastructure for an industrial, commercial, workforce, or other economic-development project. The proposal must demonstrate regional economic distress, strategy alignment, and durable job and investment outcomes.

Best for: A public infrastructure project unlocking a credible business, industrial, workforce, or commercial development opportunity.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Eligible state and local governments, districts, tribes, institutions of higher education, and qualifying nonprofits working with public entities

Applicants excluded by the source

  • For-profit businesses applying directly

Eligible uses

  • Land acquisition and development
  • Site preparation
  • Construction and rehabilitation of public economic-development infrastructure
  • Equipment for eligible public facilities

Uses excluded by the source

  • Direct grants to private firms
  • Projects that do not meet EDA distress, strategy, and public-benefit requirements

Application

How to start.

  1. Contact the EDA Chicago Regional Office before preparing a full application.
  2. Confirm economic-distress eligibility and alignment with the regional CEDS.
  3. Develop project readiness and financing commitments, then submit through EDA's EDGE portal.

Timing: EDA's current PWEAA framework accepts applications on an ongoing basis until superseded or funds are exhausted; confirm before submission.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Requires an eligible applicant, demonstrated economic distress, public benefit, and strategy alignment.
  • Private beneficiaries do not apply directly.

Can support public infrastructure around private investment, with each funding source assigned distinct eligible costs.

Evidence

Official sources.