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The Honorable Stephen Cassano, President of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) and Selectman of the Town of Manchester, Connecticut, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passage today of the S 2778, a bill reauthorizing the Economic Development Administration (EDA):

On behalf of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), I want to express sincere appreciation to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for beginning to move the Economic Development Administration reauthorization. EDA programs are an invaluable resource to our communities to implement regional strategies that promote innovation and competitiveness. EDA’s role in creating and maintaining jobs is important to stimulating industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed areas – urban and rural. It is also critical to the sustainability of our regions and local governments, many of whom are facing fiscal budget restraints. NARC and its members offer assistance and support to both chambers of Congress to build on this momentum and reauthorize EDA.

Click HERE to read NARC Board Member and Butler County, PA Commissioner James Kennedy’s May 21, 2009 testimony before the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee EDA hearing.

Click HERE to view S 2778, and HERE to view the Committee-passed amendment.

NARC will continue to work on this effort and keep members updated, though member alerts and our website, as the legislation moves through Congress. For additional information, please contact Shannon Menard, Policy Manager, 202.986.1032 x217 or shannon@NARC.org.