Charleston Leader

On September 18, 2024, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, participated in a hearing titled “America’s Regional Commissions: Sharing Best Practices in Regional and Economic Development.” The hearing focused on success stories from Regional Commissions and explored their collaboration with the states they serve and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The session included testimony from five Regional Commission federal co-chairs: Jennifer Clyburn Reed, Ed.D., Southeast Crescent Regional Commission; Jocelyn Fenton, Denali Commission (Interim); Juan Sanchez, Southwest Border Regional Commission; Chris Saunders, Northern Border Regional Commission; and Corey Wiggins, Ph.D., Delta Regional Authority.

In her opening statement, Ranking Member Capito welcomed the witnesses and emphasized the importance of partnerships between federal government entities and state governments within the regions covered by these commissions. She highlighted that each state's governor typically serves on the respective commission alongside a federally appointed co-chair confirmed by the Senate.

Capito outlined how these commissions utilize federal funding to support state and local economic development priorities. She noted that investments often focus on basic infrastructure and workforce training to foster long-term economic growth. Additionally, she stressed the need for strategic coordination between the EDA and Regional Commissions to avoid duplicative efforts.

“We are here today to talk about best practices and success stories from some of our Regional Commissions that will help us to strike this balance and ensure our federal investment is implemented efficiently to achieve the maximum benefit for the states and communities that they serve,” Capito stated.

She also shared insights from her experience working with the Appalachian Regional Commissions (ARC) in West Virginia. She mentioned that ARC had invested $63 million last year in 66 projects across West Virginia, benefiting over three thousand households and businesses while training over two thousand students and workers.

Capito referenced recent legislative efforts, including the bipartisan Economic Development Reauthorization Act introduced with Chairman Carper. The bill reauthorizes several regional commissions for fiscal years 2025 through 2029, expands their activities based on community needs, modernizes administrative requirements for efficiency, and aims for Congress's regular reauthorization to ensure effective mission execution.

Capito concluded by expressing her eagerness to collaborate with congressional colleagues to pass the EDA reauthorization bill into law.