[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Brown):
  S. 4247. A bill to amend the Public Works and Economic Development 
Act of 1965 to establish university centers to encourage certain 
economic development, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity Act, which I 
introduced today.
  The U.S. Economic Development Administration created the University 
Center Program to allow institutions of higher education and consortia 
to establish and maintain university centers, with the understanding 
that our higher education institutions play a critical role in our 
Nation's economic growth.
  University centers are Federal partnerships that leverage the assets 
of higher learning institutions to strengthen regional economic growth 
by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. They 
encourage economic development in economically distressed regions, 
which helps spur job growth, high-skilled regional talent pools, and 
business expansion.
  Despite EDA's important work, many communities across the country 
have yet to benefit from the Agency's programs, including smaller 
communities, communities of color, and rural areas experiencing higher 
rates of poverty.
  The current University Center Program is not specifically authorized 
by Congress and is instead part of EDA's Technical Assistance Program.
  That is why I am proud to introduce legislation that would codify and 
expand the University Center Program, leverage more resources for 
minority-serving institutions, and support a greater diversity of 
innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities. California has 
thriving institutions, including Chico State and Fresno State, that 
will be able to scale their impact with new resources. By prioritizing 
the establishment of new university centers at colleges and 
universities that serve significant populations of underserved 
students, we can strengthen regional economies and help close the 
racial wealth gap.
  Specifically, the bill establishes an EDA University Center Program 
to help universities collaborate with economic development districts, 
trade adjustment assistance centers, and other economic development 
technical assistance and service providers to develop and implement 
comprehensive economic development strategies and other economic 
development planning at the local, regional, and State levels, with a 
focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
  It also prioritizes the participation of minority-serving 
institutions as part of the University Center Program. Minority-serving 
institutions provide incredible opportunities for so many low-income 
and first-generation students. I am proud that my State of California 
is home to 174 Hispanic-serving institutions and 51 emerging Hispanic-
serving institutions the highest amount in the country.
  As a Senator representing one of the most diverse States in the 
country, I am proud to work with my colleagues to ensure that we work 
to improve the equity of EDA programming and help increase the 
participation of minority-serving institutions.
  I want to thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for introducing this bill 
with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this 
effort.
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