WNDD Board Approves Updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Updated CEDS Will Guide Efforts to Advance, Diversify and Strengthen the Regional Economy
The Western Nevada Development District (WNDD) board of directors approved the 2022 update to its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), ensuring that the region has a roadmap to progress and prosperity.
“As we strive to enhance the economy of Western Nevada, this new report will serve as a guide,” said Naomi Duerr, WNDD President and City of Reno Council Member. “By adopting this comprehensive, results-driven approach, we will continue attracting and retaining residents and businesses, increasing employment opportunities, and investing in our communities.”
The CEDS is a locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process and document that successfully engages the region’s community leaders, private sector partners, and stakeholders. Together, they work toward creating a long-term economic development strategy to welcome new businesses, industries, and workforce to the region and promote a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable economy.
“To achieve economic progress, it is necessary to work together,” said Christine Brandon, WNDD Executive Director. “This update will guide our activities at WNDD and our collaborative efforts with regional partners.”
The CEDS is updated annually and revisited, revised, and rewritten every five years. The 2020-2025 CEDs was recognized by CEDS Central and the National Association of Development Organizations as taking the document to the next level by incorporating resiliency planning. The 2022 update includes the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan (ERRP), created by the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Council (ERRC) and Action Teams formed to prioritize efforts and projects from the ERRP.
The 2022 CEDS update refreshes the data in the 2020-2025 report. It enables WNDD to continue as a designated Economic Development District by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce (EDA).
As a designated EDA Development District, and with the established CEDS regional plan, WNDD and its members are positioned to leverage competitiveness when applying for EDA grant programs and other federal funding. This regional planning document also gives the WNDD organizations an edge when applying for funding and grants from foundations and state agencies.
The CEDS update maintains the region’s Economic Development District designation, the associated planning funds, and regionwide eligibility for federal funding to accomplish projects identified within the plan.
“There must be an investment in our region to bring in capital and create jobs as our economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brandon said. “Funding for Western Nevada’s economic development will directly affect many of the state’s most rural and distressed areas.”
