Executive Order 14145

Helping Left-Behind Communities Make a Comeback

Signed January 19, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8105. 5 sections of substance, 1,140 words.

In plain English

This order is about towns whose jobs have gone. It says help for local and tribal leaders can turn that around.

Sec. 1. Policy

Well-designed programs that support local and Tribal leaders in left-behind communities can lead to stronger economic outcomes, strengthen regional assets, and reduce regional inequality. It is the policy of my Administration to take a whole-of- government approach to defining, coordinating, and increasing the accessibility of existing and future programs that help left-behind communities.

In plain English

This sets out the aim. It says some towns and tribal areas have been left behind. It says the right programs can lift them. It says the whole government should work as one on this. That means defining which places count, lining up the programs that help them, and making those programs easier to reach.

Sec. 2. Definitions

For purposes of this order: (a) The term ``covered communities'' means: (i) municipalities or other local areas within an economically distressed region; (ii) communities in Community Disaster Resiliency Zones; (iii) regions served by any of the following Federal programs: the Energy Communities Interagency Working Group Priority Energy Communities, the Economic Development Administration Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines, the Department of Housing and Urban Development Distressed Cities and Persistent Poverty Technical Assistance Program, or the Economic Development Administration Recompete Pilot Program; or (iv) rural communities identified by the Secretary of Agriculture and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. (b) ``Economically distressed region'' means a region described by section 301 of the

In plain English

This part says who counts. Covered towns are those in a poor region. Towns in disaster zones count too. So do places served by five named programs. Those cover energy towns, tech hubs and poor cities. Rural areas count if two agencies name them.

Sec. 3. Strengthening Federal Collaboration on Economic Development

(a) The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development and in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, shall, where appropriate and consistent with applicable law, coordinate Federal investments with implementing agencies and develop and implement policy recommendations, including on meaningful community engagement, related to place-based economic development focused on covered communities. (b) Within 1 year of the date of this order, consistent with applicable law, including section 103 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3133), the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, shall work with implementing agencies to: (i) improve the quality, frequency, and accessibility of engagement with State, Tribal, territorial, local, and non-profit

In plain English

This puts Commerce in charge. It must line up federal money with the offices that spend it. It must write advice on how to help these towns. Within a year it must work with those offices. The aim is to talk more with state, tribal and local groups.

Sec. 4. Supporting Award Access in Economically Distressed Regions

(a) Implementing agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, assist potential grant applicants, including in economically distressed regions, in understanding and applying for Federal grants. Implementing agencies' activities may include: (i) conducting proactive engagement with communities and organizations to promote opportunities for Federal assistance; (ii) providing guidance and technical assistance to applicants; and (iii) identifying resources across the agencies' technical assistance programs and offices for support. (b) Within 1 year of the date of this order, implementing agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, consider signing a memorandum of agreement to exchange information, tools, and leading practices to ensure applicants to under-resourced programs are made aware of, and may be considered for, similar programs at other agencies.

In plain English

This is about winning grants. Offices must help those who might apply. They may reach out to local groups. They may give advice and point to help. Within a year they must weigh signing a deal. The deal would share tips, so one office can point to another.

Sec. 5.

Promoting Disaster Resilience and Long-Term Economic Development Post-Disaster. In coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, implementing agencies that have field offices in economically distressed regions or Community Disaster Resilience Zones that have received a major disaster declaration within the past 3 years shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law: [[Page 8107]] (a) seek input from local organizations on needs for and barriers to long-term economic resilience; (b) identify funding opportunities to address long- term economic development and infrastructure needs; and (c) provide targeted support for navigating the application process for funding opportunities.

In plain English

This is about places hit by disaster. It covers offices in poor or storm hit areas. The area must have had a major disaster in three years. They must ask local groups what they need. They must find money for long term work. They must help people apply for it.

Sec. 6. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 19, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-01758 Filed 1-23-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.