[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 31, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5258-S5259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 3169. 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. Madam President, I rise to speak in support of the 
University Centers for Growth, Development, and Prosperity Act, which I 
reintroduced 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

[[Page S5259]]

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.
  Despite being one of EDA's most successful economic development 
initiatives, the current University Center Program is not officially 
authorized by Congress and is currently administered under EDA's 
Technical Assistance Program. That is why I am proud to reintroduce 
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 several thriving institutions, including Cal State 
Chico, Cal State Bakersfield, and University of Southern California, 
that will be able to scale their impact as a result of these new 
resources. By prioritizing the establishment of new university centers 
at colleges and universities that serve significant populations of 
underserved students, we can further 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 eager to work with my colleagues to ensure that we 
improve the equity of EDA programming and help increase the 
participation of minority-serving institutions.
  As the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works continues to 
draft an EDA reauthorization bill, I urge them to include this 
legislation to expand and improve the University Center Program.
  I want to thank Congressman Pete Aguilar for introducing this bill 
with me, and I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this 
program that benefits almost every State.

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