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1 1 (March 18, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govyfn0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Cogesoa Reerh evc S March 18, 2019 Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Overview of Structure and Activities Federal regional commissions and authorities address perceived regional economic underdevelopment. These organizations generally accommodate multileveled and multijurisdictional participation and implementation, which Congress could utilize to address growing interest in broad- based and intensive economic development efforts. Current commissions and authorities represent some regions; other regions could adopt similar entities. This In Focus outlines each organization's structure, activities, and recent funding, but reserves broader policy analysis for future reporting. Appalachian Regional Commission The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was established in 1965 to address economic distress in the Appalachian region. The ARC's jurisdiction spans 420 counties in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The ARC is a federal-state partnership, with administrative costs shared equally by the federal government and member states, while economic development activities are federally funded (Table 1). Thirteen state governors and a federal cochair oversee the ARC. The cochair is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. The current federal cochair is Tim Thomas, whose tenure began in April 2018. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is the states' cochair, who is selected by the governors. According to authorizing legislation (40 U.S.C. § 14101- 14704), the ARC's programs abide by a Regional Development Plan, which is comprised of the strategic plan, bylaws, state development plans, the annual strategy statement for each participating state, the annual program budget, and internal implementation and performance management guidelines. The strategic plan is typically a five-year document, reviewed annually, and revised as necessary. The current strategic plan, adopted in November 2015, prioritizes five investment goals: (1) entrepreneurial and business development; (2) workforce development; (3) infrastructure development; (4) natural and cultural assets; and (5) leadership and community capacity. The ARC's structure enables local and state-level agenda- setting and implementation tied to federal and multistate regional perspectives. The ARC's economic development activities include significant state and local input. Through state plans and annual work statements, state governments regularly establish goals, priorities, and agendas for fulfilling them. State-level planning typically includes consultation with a network of 73 multicounty local development districts (LDDs), which are financially supported by the ARC and advise on local priorities and issues. Accordingly, state and local governments, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for the ARC's funding. Uniquely, this includes federal- and potentially state-designated tribal entities. The ARC statutorily designates counties according to levels of economic distress, which determine matching fund requirements for grants. In descending order of distress: attainment (0% funding allowance); competitive (30%); transitional (50%); at-risk (70%); and distressed (80%). Special allowances may reduce or discharge matches, and match requirements may be met with other federal funds when allowed. The ARC's multileveled and multijurisdictional structure and activities make it a unique model of federal economic development, which is emulated in some other federal regional commissions and authorities. Table I. Appropriations for the ARC FY20 I 5-FY20 19 $ in millions FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 $90 $146 $152 $155 $165 Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114- 113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, and P.L. 115-244. Delta Reg onal Authority The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) was established in 2000 (P.L. 106-554) to address economic distress in the Mississippi River Delta region. The DRA's jurisdiction includes 252 designated parishes in Louisiana and counties in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Like the ARC, the DRA is a federal-state partnership that shares administrative expenses equally, while activities are federally funded (Table 2). The DRA is governed by the eight state governors and a federal cochair appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. As of January 2018, the current federal cochair is Christopher Caldwell. One governor is selected as the states' cochair of the DRA, which is currently Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin. The DRA strategic plan illuminates economic development priorities. Its third and current strategic plan-Regional Development Plan III-was released in April 2016. The strategic plan lists three goals: workforce competitiveness; strengthened infrastructure; and increased community capacity. The DRA uses a federal-state-local model similar to the ARC's. State development plans are required by statute, and are issued every five years to coincide with the strategic plan. The DRA funds projects through a supported network of 44 LDDs. By statute, the DRA directs at least 75% of funds to distressed counties; half those funds target https:I/crsreports.conc -- -g

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