U.S. Economic Development Administration- Austin Office VISTA Program

EDA’s unique partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) combines the local resources and overlapping missions of both organizations to build prosperity in regions across the country.

EDA provides funding and technical assistance to advance prosperity in distressed communities, while CNCS provides human resources in the form of “Volunteers in Service to America” (VISTAs). Both organizations seek to develop lasting solutions to economic distress in America.

Under this combined program, EDA-designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs) receive VISTA Members for a one-year term to extend their mission of leading locally based, regionally driven economic development planning. Each VISTA assists their assigned EDD by undertaking tasks and building capacity in areas where EDD resources shortfalls exist.