Political Quotes

“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 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.…”