13 CFR § 304.1 - Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional eligibility.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t13/s304.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "13 CFR § 304.1 - Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional eligibility."
title_number: 13
title_name: "Business Credit and Assistance"
section_number: "304.1"
section_name: "Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional eligibility."
chapter_name: "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"
part_number: "304"
part_name: "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 3122; 42 U.S.C. 3171; 42 U.S.C. 3172; 42 U.S.C. 3196; Department of Commerce Organization Order 10-4."
regulatory_source: "71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "304"
---


# 304.1 Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional eligibility.

Upon the request of a District Organization (as defined in § 304.2), EDA may designate a Region as an Economic Development District if such Region:

(a) Contains at least one geographic area that is subject to the economic distress criteria set forth in § 301.3(a)(1) of this chapter and is identified in an approved CEDS;

(b) Is of sufficient size or population and contains sufficient resources to foster economic development on a scale involving more than a single geographic area subject to the economic distress criteria set forth in § 301.3(a)(1) of this chapter;

(c) Has an EDA-approved CEDS that:

(1) Meets the requirements under § 303.7 of this chapter;

(2) Contains a specific program for intra-District cooperation, self-help, and public investment; and

(3) Is approved by each affected State and by the Assistant Secretary;

(d) Obtains commitments from at least a majority of the counties or other areas within the proposed District, as determined by EDA, to support the economic development activities of the District; and

(e) Obtains the concurrence with the designation request from the State (or States) in which the proposed District will be wholly or partially located.

[71 FR 56675, Sept. 27, 2006, as amended at 79 FR 76131, Dec. 19, 2014]