University Economic Development Association

Two New AI Funding Opportunities, One Busy Summer: A UEDA Heads-Up

aulaky@crec.net — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:52:25 +0000

We know your summer will be busy, especially now that two new federal opportunities have come out that may involve key leaders at your institution in supporting AI as a vehicle for economic development. So, before the out-of-office replies kick in, here is a quick read on both. One builds statewide AI capacity, while the […]

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UEDA Celebrates Economic Development Week

aulaky@crec.net — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:49:44 +0000

UEDA is proud to recognize May 4-8, 2026 as Economic Development Week alongside our partners at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). To mark this occasion, we are reflecting on how universities are at the center of regional economic growth. This year marks UEDA’s 50th anniversary of helping university-centered economic development leaders implement talent, innovation, and place-based strategies to grow their communities. Indeed, universities are at the forefront of supporting the implementation of practical talent solutions to prepare the next-generation […]

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UEDA Washington Convening: Key Takeaways for University Economic Development Leaders

aulaky@crec.net — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:27:48 +0000

By Lenore VanderZee, J.D., Ph.D., UEDA President & Vice President for Strategic Relations & Communications, SUNY Canton The 2026 UEDA Washington Convening brought together higher education leaders, federal partners, and practitioners to examine one central question: how can universities more effectively advance their role in their regional economies while navigating a rapidly shifting federal landscape? […]

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Congress Just Reauthorized SBIR. Universities Should Pay Attention.

aulaky@crec.net — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:43:36 +0000

After a five-month lapse that left billions in federal innovation funding idle, Congress reauthorized SBIR and STTR through 2031. The programs are restarting and universities need to be ready. Why This Matters Now This is not a routine reauthorization. It comes at a moment when the university innovation pipeline is under strain. The recent lapse […]

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Using University Capacity to Deliver Regional Economic Results: A New Framework for EDA

aulaky@crec.net — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:33:00 +0000

The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) has developed a draft framework that proposes a modernized “University Economic Competitiveness Partnership” to replace the now de-funded University Center program. Built around a newly proposed Institutional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (I-CEDS), the initiative would seek to better align university talent, innovation, and place-based work with regional CEDS priorities and federal competitiveness […]

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Workforce Pell Proposed Regulations – Implications for University Economic Development Leaders

aulaky@crec.net — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:30:00 +0000

By Dr. Ken Poole, UEDA Executive Director The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed regulations implementing the Workforce Pell provisions enacted in the 2025 higher education legislation. These rules would allow Pell Grants to support short-term workforce programs that meet defined performance and labor market alignment standards. The proposal represents one of the most […]

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Universities Can Deliver More. The Moment to Reset Is Now.

aulaky@crec.net — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:47:00 +0000

Written by: Ken Poole This excerpt is part of a full paper available exclusively to registrants of the 2026 UEDA Washington Conference, April 15-16. Anyone interested in contributing to this revised vision is encouraged to join us for a collaborative roundtable session that will dive deeper into this framework and invite direct input from institutional […]

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What Federal Agencies Really Fund: The Power of Strategic Alliances

aulaky@crec.net — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Why Strategic Partnerships Are More Critical Than Ever As universities navigate an increasingly competitive federal funding landscape, one truth has become clear: going alone is no longer viable. Today’s climate demands institutions build strategic alliances that demonstrate real-world impact, workforce readiness, and regional economic strength. A recent regional webinar hosted by Omar Faison of Virginia […]

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OBBA: Understanding Its Impact on Workforce and Economic Development

aulaky@crec.net — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:42:00 +0000

On July 4, 2025, Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Act (Public Law 119-21). For workforce and economic development policymakers, the law sought to reshape the operating environment for talent systems, postsecondary institutions, and state governments in ways that directly influence regional economic outcomes. The unifying principle is accountability. Federal dollars now flow more explicitly […]

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Workforce Pell and Universities: a Policy Brief for UEDA Members

Ken Poole — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:22:33 +0000

Universities are being asked to move faster, align more closely with employers, and show measurable labor market results from short-term training. Institutions that treat Workforce Pell as an economic development tool (rather than a narrow financial aid change) will be better positioned to strengthen their regional role, deepen employer partnerships, and demonstrate tangible return on investment.

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