Economic Development Activities: Overview of Eight Federal Programs

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the economic development activities of eight federal programs, focusing on: (1) the economic development activities that major federal programs fund for the benefit of states and communities; (2) restrictions for using program funds to relocate existing businesses and jobs; (3) procedures that federal agencies established to ensure compliance with the restrictions; and (4) types of incentives that states and communities have used to attract businesses and the role that incentives may play in a business's decision to relocate.