A Word From The Director…

 

I attended the annual Southwest Regional Executive Directors Association meeting  in Santa Fe, New

 

Mexico along with Randy Miller of the IMCAL staff, held  December 1-3 of 2009. It was a review of

 

upcoming legislation  that could affect EDA funding and its priorities. The staff from the five state region of

 

Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico were in attendance. Topics discussed included

 

preparation of EDA Public  Works application; On Line Tool Program that will simplify data  reporting that

 

planning districts provide to EDA; Broadband Services Methods to reach rural areas, Green Sustainable

 

Energy alternatives, a Commuter Rail System program, Workforce Development in the region; and up-

 

dating the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

 

James Porter

IMCAL Executive Director