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Economic Development Administration

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The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has a robust system for performance measurement and evaluation to track the effectiveness of its grants and programs. This system is primarily focused on collecting and analyzing data on the outcomes of its investments in communities.

Key Performance Metrics

The EDA's statistical efforts are centered around a few core metrics that measure the impact of its grants on local and regional economies:

•	Jobs Created and Retained: This is a primary metric, representing the number of new jobs created and existing jobs saved as a direct or indirect result of an EDA-funded project.

•	Private Sector Investment Leveraged: The EDA tracks the amount of private capital that is attracted to a project. A commonly cited statistic is the ratio of private investment to EDA funding, with historical averages often showing a significant return on investment for the taxpayer.

•	Infrastructure Improvements: For public works grants, the EDA measures the revitalization and expansion of physical infrastructure like roads, water and sewer systems, and broadband networks. This data is crucial for demonstrating how EDA funds lay the groundwork for future business growth.

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Capacity Building: For its non-infrastructure grants (e.g., for planning and technical assistance), the EDA measures improvements in a community's ability to plan and implement its own economic development strategies, such as the number of new technologies commercialized or the funding secured by entrepreneurs.

Data Collection and Reporting

The EDA collects this data from its grant recipients and uses it for internal reporting, strategic planning, and public accountability.

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Data Collection Instruments: The EDA requires grantees to submit regular reports using specific forms (e.g., ED-916, ED-917, and ED-918) to report on their progress and outcomes. These instruments collect both quantitative data (e.g., number of jobs, dollar amounts) and qualitative information (e.g., success stories, lessons learned).

•	Annual Reports: The EDA publishes an annual report that details the achievements of the previous fiscal year, including the total amount of federal funds invested, the number of projects funded, and the collective jobs and private investment generated.

•	External Data: The EDA also utilizes data from other federal statistical agencies, such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to help determine eligibility for grants (e.g., based on unemployment rates and per capita income) and to provide context for its program outcomes.