EDA Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vol. 2 No. 12 November 2005

 

 

 



In this issue...

  • 2005-2006 Series of Economic Development Today Telecasts Begins December 6
  • America's Economic Strength and Resiliency Continue
  • EDA 2004 Annual Report to Congress Now Available
  • U.S. Department of Commerce Opens Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC)
  • "Building a 21st Century, World-Class Workforce" to Be Featured in Next Edition of Economic Development America
  • New Overview of Strengthening America's Communities Initiative Available
  • Recent Speeches by Sandy K. Baruah, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

How to subscribe: To subscribe yourself or a colleague to EDA Update, send an email with contact information, including email address, to Jason Christian at jchristian@iedconline.org.



2005-2006 Series of Economic Development Today Telecasts Begins December 6

The first telecast of the 2005-2006 Economic Development Today series will take place on December 6, 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. EST, focusing on Lessons Learned from Disaster Recovery.

In recent years, American businesses have endured adversity at the hands of numerous natural and manmade disasters. This telecast will feature three professionals and their stories of business recovery after the numerous hurricanes in Florida and the terrorist attack in New York City. The three panelists will focus on six main business recovery themes: infrastructure development for economic development; workforce development; financial tools for large and small businesses; coordination and implementation; image building and crafting the media message; and the legislative agenda.

The telecast will provide baseline information on how disaster recovery for the long-term has worked in the past. The goal is to make business recovery effort easier and more functional in regions that have suffered devastation.

Moderator:
Matthew E. Crow, Director of Communications, Economic Development Administration,
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Panelists:
Mickie Valente, Director of Partner Relations, Enterprise Florida
Maria Gotsch, Co-CEO, NYC Investment Fund
Amy Schoch, Deputy Commissioner, Manufacturing & Environmental Program, Empire State Development

How To Register
Register by fax (202.986.1038), mail, or online at the NARC Web site, www.narc.org/ed/ecodev-main.html. Note: While this telecast is free, registration is recommended, and no permission or clearance is required for rebroadcast.

Access Information
The satellite space is booked from
2:30-4:00 pm EST.
Ku-band: Galaxy 11, transponder 15
Orbitol slot: 91 degrees west
Downlink frequency: 12003 horizontal
C-band: Galaxy 4R, transponder 21
Orbitol slot: 99 degrees west
Downlink frequency: 4120 horizontal

DISH Network: To view, you need a subscription to the DISH Network basic service package. The Universityhouse Channel is 9411. For programming information go to: www.universityhouse.nau.edu and click on schedule. Universityhouse will air the telecast on DISH Network at 2:30 PST; 3:30 MST; 4:30 CST; and, 5:30 EST.  

The National Association of Regional Councils is coordinating the telecasts. If you need additional information or have difficulty locating a viewing facility, contact Peggy Tadej at 202.986.1032, extension 224, or email at tadej@narc.org.

Themes for the remaining 2006 Economic Development Today telecasts include:   

  1. Base Realignment and Closure 2005 (BRAC), February 2006
  2. Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovative Leadership, March 2006
  3. Global Gateways, May 2006
  4. Financial Tools for Economic Development, June 2006
  5. Performance Metrics: What is Your Economic Development Return on Investment?, September 2006



America's Economic Strength and Resiliency Continue

In early November, the government released new jobs figures – 56,000 jobs created in October. Payroll employment rose by 56,000 in October, and the economy has created about 1.9 million jobs over the past 12 months – over 4.2 million since May 2003. The unemployment rate of 5.0 percent is lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

The economy grew at a 3.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the tenth straight quarter in which GDP grew at a rate above 3 percent. The United States remains the fastest growing major industrialized country in the world.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM), a private research group, reports manufacturing output was growing for the 29th consecutive month in October. The ISM's manufacturing index reading of 59.1 demonstrates continued sector expansion and is considerably stronger than market expectations.

In October, ISM reported that non-manufacturing business activity rose to 60.0 (a reading above 50 indicates growth). The index has now remained above 50 for 31 consecutive months.

In addition:

  • Nominal personal income increased 1.7 percent and take-home pay increased 1.0 percent in September.
  • Productivity jumped 4.1 percent in the third quarter.
  • Construction spending rose 0.5 percent in September to a record high of $1.12 trillion. Exceeding market expectations, housing starts increased 3.4 percent in September.



EDA 2004 Annual Report to Congress Now Available

The Economic Development Administration's (EDA) 2004 Annual Report to Congress is now available on EDA's Web site at www.eda.gov/AboutEDA/Annualreport.xml. This is a report on the bureau's achievements for fiscal year 2004, in compliance with Section 603 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended. EDA's 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. This report documents EDA's efforts to fulfill this mission during FY 2004.



U.S. Department of Commerce Opens Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC)

The U.S. Department of Commerce has opend the Hurricane Contracting Information Center, which provides a central point of reference for businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small- and medium-size enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities in the Gulf Coast. While the HCIC does not award contracts, its mission is to ensure that businesses understand the process and are aware when opportunities become available. More information is available about HCIC at www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov.



"Building a 21st Century, World-Class Workforce" to Be Featured in Next Edition of Economic Development
America

The next edition of Economic Development America magazine will focus on workforce development. The magazine will feature articles on working with community colleges; worker certification; preparing middle and high school students for the workforce, and more.

The Winter 2006 edition of the magazine will focus on Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovative Leadership. Other themes for 2006 include:

  • Global Gateways (Spring)
  • Financial Tools for Economic Development (Summer)
  • Performance Metrics: What Is Your Economic Development Return on Investment? (Fall)

Story ideas are welcomed for each of the 2006 editions of Economic Development America. For more information, contact editor Louise Anderson at landerson@iedconline.org. Past editions of the magazine are available on EDA's Web site.



New Overview of Strengthening
America's Communities Initiative Available

A new overview of the President's Strengthening America's Communities Initiative is available in PDF format on the Department of Commerce's Web site at www.doc.gov/SACI. Check it out to learn more about the underlying principles behind the President's proposal; the findings, guiding principles, and recommendations of the Strengthening America's Communities Advisory Committee; the key elements of the initiative's enabling legislation; the answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and myths and facts related to the initiative; and a glossary of terms found within the Advisory Committee's report.



Recent Speeches by Sandy K. Baruah, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development

To the Kennedy School of Government Faculty Meeting, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Monday, November 21, 2005

To the Alaska Municipal League Conference – Anchorage, Alaska
Wednesday, November 9, 2005

At the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) 2005 Annual Conference, "Federal Update" General Session Panel
Tuesday,
September 27, 2005

To the Alliance for Regional Stewardship (ARS) National Forum on Regional Stewardship, Panel on Federal Policy and Regionalism, Washington, DC
Friday, May 6, 2005

Panel on "The Future of Economic Development Programs Through the Federal Initiative on Strengthening America's Communities: A View from Washington," meeting of the Council on Extension, Continuing Education and Public Service of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULC), Hilton Washington Embassy Row Hotel
Thursday, June 9, 2005



EDA Update is brought to you as a benefit of a partnership among the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), to provide information about economic development practices and programs to economic development practitioners who serve distressed communities throughout the
United States. This partnership also provides six telecasts and a quarterly magazine. For more information, visit the EDA Web site.

 







 

American Jobs, American Values - U.S. Department of Commerce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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