[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Cassidy):
  S. 2572. A bill to amend the Public Works and Economic Development 
Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make 
predevelopment grants, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan 
Economic Empowerment Through Predevelopment Act. This legislation would 
improve support for capacity building and early-stage project 
development activities to ensure inclusive economic growth across 
communities.
  Predevelopment activities are projects that must be completed prior 
to construction to advance infrastructure and development projects from 
concept to reality. This includes planning and design, community asset 
mapping, training, technical assistance, feasibility and environmental 
studies, demonstration projects, permitting, and organizational 
capacity building.
  This bill would enhance the Economic Development Administration's 
role in the initial stages of a project by authorizing the Agency to 
make grants and cooperative agreements for predevelopment activities 
and capacity building purposes.
  Many underserved, low-income, and rural communities simply do not 
have the institutions, expertise, or capacity to plan, design, 
coordinate, or implement new economic development initiatives. Building 
an inclusive economy requires policies for comprehensive economic 
development plans that better equip our communities to sustain and grow 
investments, leverage community-based assets, and diversify local 
economies to withstand potential disruptions.
  Additional support for predevelopment projects would also allow for 
more intentional investments and longer term sustainability in local 
economies by preventing costly mistakes or unwise investments.
  Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and 
the American Rescue Plan Act, Congress, State and local governments, as 
well as community organizations, have increasingly turned to EDA and 
economic development districts for assistance in predevelopment 
activities. This legislation will strengthen the Agency's work in this 
space.
  I thank Senator Cassidy for introducing this important legislation 
with me in the Senate. I hope all of our colleagues will join us in 
supporting this bill for the economic empowerment of our communities.
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