Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

The CEDS is updated every five-years, as required by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). ARC is the designated Economic Development District (EDD) for the 11-county Metro Region including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.

The CEDS update was the Region’s opportunity to adapt to changing global, national, and local economic conditions and resident needs. It is an action plan to reset the economy. The CEDS focuses on economic opportunities for communities and families which will help alleviate poverty, enhance safety, improve quality of life, raise the overall standard of living, and enable them to fully participate more fully in the economy. This CEDS acknowledges the successes of past economic achievements and focuses on practical solutions and optional experimental strategies from business leaders, universities, educational entities, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and economic development professionals with an expanded base of nontraditional stakeholders (non-profits, faith-based organizations, etc.). Over the next five years ARC and our partners will work together to implement this action-oriented plan.

The CEDS allows communities and organizations to receive grants and assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for projects and technical assistance.