Commerce and Economic Development Commission (CEDC)

Mission Statement
To manage and leverage financial resources that enhance economic development within Arizona.

Background
The Commerce and Economic Development Commission (CEDC) was established in 1989 as the state’s strategic economic research and initiatives entity. Nine commissioners govern the CEDC; the Director of the Department of Commerce serves as the chair and eight members are appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. The Commission is responsible for developing the State’s 10 year economic strategy. In addition, the Commission administers the CEDC Fund, which provides financial assistance to support the State’s economic development efforts. The CEDC is funded through the Arizona Lottery; 21.5% of two scratch games provide continuous funding.

The Commission is also the recommending body for the Economic Strength Projects (ESP) program, a grant program providing assistance to local government entities for road construction projects.

10-year Economic Strategy
To ensure high-quality, high-paying jobs for Arizona in the future, the CEDC is developing a 10-year economic strategy for Arizona. Information and a list of meetings held for Moving Arizona Forward: Strategies for Success is available here.

The 10-year plan will be based primarily on the Statewide Economic Study, a public-private effort to analyze the economy and to identify compelling opportunities for Arizona’s regional economies over the coming decade. For more information, visit Statewide Economic Study (SES).

Strategic Initiatives
The CEDC serves as a catalyst to develop and launch "economy defining" initiatives that have a fundamental impact on Arizona’s state, regional and local economies. Recent projects include funding for the feasibility and organization planning for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), the Critical PATH Institute and the "Arizona Virtual Water University" (working title).

For more information on the CEDC, please email Lisa Danka.