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Updated December 20, 2021
Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities:
Overview of Structure and Activities
Federal regional commissions and authorities address
fulfilling them. State-level planning typically includes
perceived regional economic underdevelopment. These
consultation with a network of 74 multicounty local
organizations generally accommodate multileveled and
development districts (LDDs), which are financially
multijurisdictional participation and implementation, which
supported by the ARC and advise on local priorities and
Congress could utilize to address growing interest in broad-
issues. Accordingly, state and local governments,
based and intensive economic development efforts. Current
governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations are
commissions and authorities represent some regions; other
eligible for the ARC’s funding. Uniquely, this includes
regions could adopt similar entities. This In Focus outlines
federal- and potentially state-designated tribal entities.
each organization’s structure, activities, and recent funding.
For this report, FY2022 appropriated funding amounts are
The ARC statutorily designates counties according to levels
from P.L. 117-58. FY2022 amounts do not include funding
of economic distress, which determine matching fund
provided through the annual appropriations process, as
requirements for grants. The ARC’s multileveled and
annual appropriations had not been enacted as of the date of
multijurisdictional structure and activities make it a unique
publication.
model of federal economic development, which is emulated
in some other federal regional commissions and authorities.
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was
Table 1. Appropriations for the ARC FY2015-FY2022
established in 1965 to address economic distress in the
$ in millions
Appalachian region. The ARC’s jurisdiction spans 423
counties in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, New York,
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
$90
$146 $152 $155 $165 $175 $180 $200
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The ARC is a federal-state partnership, with administrative
Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114-
costs shared equally by the federal government and member
113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, P.L. 115-244, P.L. 116-94; P.L. 116-
states; its economic development activities are federally
260, and P.L. 117-58.
funded (Table 1). Thirteen state governors and a federal co-
chair oversee the ARC. The co-chair is appointed by the
Delta Regional Authority
President with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) was established in
The current federal co-chair is Gayle Manchin, whose
2000 (P.L. 106-554) to address economic distress in the
tenure began in May 2021. Virginia Governor Ralph
Mississippi River Delta region. The DRA’s jurisdiction
Northam is the states’ co-chair, which is selected by the
includes 252 designated parishes in Louisiana and counties
governors.
in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi,
Missouri, and Tennessee. Like the ARC, the DRA is a
According to authorizing legislation (40 U.S.C. §14101-
federal-state partnership that shares administrative expenses
14704), the ARC’s programs abide by a Regional
equally, while activities are federally funded (Table 2). The
Development Plan, which is comprised of the strategic plan,
DRA is governed by the eight state governors and a federal
bylaws, state development plans, the annual strategy
co-chair appointed by the President with the advice and
statement for each participating state, the annual program
consent of the U.S. Senate. The DRA has operated without
budget, and internal implementation and performance
a federal co-chair since January 2021. The alternate federal
management guidelines. The strategic plan is typically a
co-chair is Leslie Durham. The states’ co-chair is currently
five-year document, reviewed annually, and revised as
Missouri Governor Mike Parson.
necessary. The current strategic plan, adopted in October
2021, prioritizes five investment goals: (1) entrepreneurial
The DRA strategic plan illuminates economic development
and business development; (2) workforce development; (3)
priorities. Its third and current strategic plan—Regional
infrastructure development; (4) natural and cultural assets;
Development Plan III—was released in April 2016. The
and (5) leadership and community capacity.
strategic plan lists three goals: workforce competitiveness;
strengthened infrastructure; and increased community
The ARC’s structure enables local and state-level agenda-
capacity. The DRA uses a federal-state-local model similar
setting and implementation tied to federal and multistate
to the ARC’s. State development plans are required by
regional perspectives. The ARC’s economic development
statute, and are issued every five years to coincide with the
activities include significant state and local input. Through
strategic plan. The DRA funds projects through a supported
state plans and annual work statements, state governments
network of 44 LDDs. By statute, the DRA directs at least
regularly establish goals, priorities, and agendas for
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75% of funds to distressed counties; half those funds target
The NBRC’s activities are guided by a five-year strategic
transportation and basic infrastructure.
plan. Its current 2017-2022 strategic plan lists three goals:
(1) modernizing infrastructure; (2) creating and sustaining
Table 2. Appropriations for the DRA FY2015-FY2022
jobs; and (3) anticipating and capitalizing on shifting
$ in millions
economic and demographic trends. The NBRC invests
along four program areas: (1) economic and infrastructure
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
development; (2) the regional forest economy partnership;
(3) local development districts; and (4) comprehensive
$12
$25
$25
$25
$25
$30
$30
$150
planning for states. The NBRC also uses 16 LDDs to
Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114-
identify opportunities, conduct outreach, and administer
113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, P.L. 115-244, P.L. 116-94; P.L. 116-
grant funds, from which LDDs receive fees.
260; and P.L. 117-58.
Table 4. Appropriations for the NBRC FY2015-FY2022
Denali Commission
$ in millions
The Denali Commission was established in 1998 (P.L. 105-
277) to provide rural economic development in Alaska. It is
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
unique as a single-state regional commission and relies on
$5
$7
$10
$15
$20
$25
$30
$150
federal funding for its expenses and activities (Table 3). By
statute, it is comprised of seven members (or a designated
Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114-
nominee) appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce,
113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, P.L. 115-244, P.L. 116-94; P.L. 116-
including the federal co-chair; the Alaska Governor, who is
260; and P.L. 117-58.
state co-chair; the University of Alaska president; the
Alaska Municipal League president; the Alaska Federation
Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
of Natives president; the Alaska State AFL-CIO president;
The Northern Great Plains Regional Authority (NGPRA)
and the Associated General Contractors of Alaska
was created in 2002 (P.L. 107-171) to address economic
president. Garrett Boyle is the federal co-chair. The Denali
distress in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and
Commission is statutorily required to create an annual work
South Dakota. While the NGPRA was authorized $30
plan, which solicits project proposals, guides activities, and
million from FY2002 to FY2018, it appears to have
informs a five-year strategic plan. The current FY2018-
received appropriations once—for $1.5 million in FY2004
FY2022 strategic plan, released in October 2017, lists four
(P.L. 108-199). Its authorization lapsed in 2019.
strategic goals and objectives: (1) facilities management;
Southeast Crescent Regional Commission
(2) infrastructure protection from ecological change; (3)
The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) was
energy, including storage, production, heating, and
established in 2008 (P.L. 110-234). SCRC’s jurisdiction
electricity; and (4) innovation and collaboration. The Denali
includes parts of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North
Commission’s recent activities are oriented to energy and
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and all of Florida. In
infrastructure protection. Denali does not make explicit use
December 2021, the Senate confirmed the first federal co-
of LDDs or similar entities.
chair, Jennifer Reed, enabling the commission to convene.
Table 3. Appropriations for the Denali Commission
Table 5.Appropriations for the SCRC FY2015-
FY2015-FY2022
FY2022*
$ in millions
$ in millions
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22
$10
$11
$15
$30
$15
$15
$15
$75
$0.25 $0.25 $0.25 $0.25 $0.25 $0.25 $1.00 $5.00
Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114-
Source: Compiled by CRS using data from P.L. 113-235, P.L. 114-
113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, P.L. 115-244, P.L. 116-94; P.L. 116-
113, P.L. 115-31, P.L. 115-141, P.L. 115-244, P.L. 116-94; P.L. 116-
260; and P.L. 117-58.
260; and P.L. 117-58.
Northern Border Regional Commission
Southwest Border Regional Commission
The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) was
The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) was
created in 2008 (P.L. 110-234) to alleviate economic
established by Congress in 2008 along with SCRC and the
distress in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and
NBRC, and shares an identical governing structure and
New York. Administrative costs are shared equally between
legislative authorization. SBRC encompasses the southern
the states and the federal government, while activities are
border regions of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and
federally funded (Table 4). The NBRC includes a federal
Texas. SBRC has received consistent funding
co-chair, appointed by the President by and with the advice
authorizations since 2008. SBRC received appropriations in
and consent of the U.S. Senate, and the five governors, of
FY2021 and FY2022, but does not appear to be active.
which one is appointed state co-chair. Harold B. Parker is
the current federal co-chair since October 2018. New
Julie M. Lawhorn, Analyst in Economic Development
Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu is the state co-chair.
Policy
IF11140
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Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities: Overview of Str ucture and Activities
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