The Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 was passed unanimously by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on March 12.
The legislation would next need to pass the full Senate before heading to the House of Representatives for approval.
The act was sponsored by senators Tom Carper (D-Delaware), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia.), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), and Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota).
The bill modernizes the Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s core programs with a new emphasis on outdoor recreation. Programs affected include workforce development, disaster assistance, broadband deployment and renewable energy initiatives.
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) President Jessica Wahl-Turner said, “This is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is also an investment in sustainable economic growth, public health and community well-being.”
The Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2024 declares outdoor recreation a cornerstone of the rural economy. The legislation mandates prioritizing infrastructure grant funding within the public works program to support outdoor recreation. The legislation would nearly double the public works program’s funding to $270 million annually. The funds support recreation infrastructure such as boat ramps, trails and campgrounds.
The legislation would mark the EDA’s first reauthorization in nearly 20 years.
ORR said the act initiates “a new era for rural economies, promising enhanced economic resilience, job creation, and a strengthened national commitment to the great outdoors.”
