Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

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The Region 2000 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a leading regional economic development tool to diversify and strengthen the region’s economic vitality. CEDS is a program of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and is a required document for a region to qualify for certain EDA funding programs. The CVPDC is the contractual agency to the EDA to manage the CEDS and provide yearly implementation status updates.

The CVPDC and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance (LRBA) partnered with area business and community leaders to develop the CEDS as a five-year roadmap to guide regional economic prosperity.

The CEDS is comprised of two documents:

Virginia’s Region 2000 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Implementation Plan

The Virginia’s Region 2000 CEDS Implementation Action Plan

Presents activities, programs, partners, and metrics to advance the CEDS prosperity goals and initiatives. This document guides CEDS Initiative Council, initiative working groups, activities and serves as the mechanism to review and gauge program progress.

Focused Forward 02

Focused Forward – Driving the Economic Vitality for the Region
Focused Forward is the CEDS logo and represents the collaborative nature – encompassing business, art, natural resources, local government, non-profit organizations, workforce development, economic development, planning – of the regional economic planning program.

CEDS Oversight Framework
The CEDS “is a strategy for a community or region, and not a strategy for a single organization” (CEDS pg. 38). While implementation will be accomplished through a myriad of organizations, individuals, activities, and programs, there is an oversight and accountability structure.

CEDS Guiding Agencies
The Central Virginia Planning District Commission (CVPDC), the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance (LRBA) and the Central Virginia Workforce Development Board, and their program policy boards, are the CEDS program oversight agencies.

CEDS Oversight

CEDS Steering Committee – Program oversight board; meets quarterly to champion, establish program consensus and evaluate progress.
Initiative Councils (IC)- Comprised of individuals with expertise, passion, and experience to establish and directly advance initiatives.