Nick Rahall: “I rise in strong support of H.R. 2442, the reauthorization legislation for the Economic Development Administration and…”

“I rise in strong support of H.R. 2442, the reauthorization legislation for the Economic Development Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission. For 27 years, these two highly successful programs have established unique Federal-State-local planning efforts that have leveraged, through modest Federal funding, billions of dollars in local and private capital, and generated billions of dollars in new revenues. By passing H.R. 2442 we will have kept our industries competitive in a global market, improved and increased our manpower skills, and provided economic development opportunities for existing and new businesses. Times may be changing quickly, but economic development needs have not. New technologies are emerging, and we need them in order to rebuild our Nation's infrastructure. Through application of the modest funding in the bill, H.R. 2442 will help us achieve that goal.”