The Economic Development Administration should take the lead in developing and delivering educational forums for state, local, and tribal economic development planners on how economic planning and sustainability community goals can be aligned and on how to attract and promote sustainable business development. Already, Economic Development Administration (EDA) planning supports 320 economic development districts and 65 Indian tribes, staffed and operated locally, to help communities build capacity to focus on long-term economic challenges. Since economic development districts are often coordinating entities for various federal programs, the agency also supports and encourages interdisciplinary regional planning that encompasses economic, social, and environmental factors. Current EDA efforts should continue to meet the need for increased sustainable business development.

Elected, community, and business leaders; labor representatives; and local government agencies should work together with residents to develop a consensus about what types of business investment would succeed in their community and which are desired, and communicate this consensus to brokers, trade associations, and potential investors. Community groups should also create, where possible, a partnership that can represent community interests to new and existing businesses considering an investment in the community. National community development organizations, industry associations, and economic development agencies should work together to identify and promote industry-specific strategies that increase community investment and promote sustainability. In particular, building on experience from the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities, these groups should look at how to promote new economic opportunities for sustainable small businesses in low-income communities.