EDA

EDA is the Economic Development Administration, a federal agency that is part of the Department of Commerce. From their web site:
"EDA was created to generate jobs, help retain existing jobs and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in rural and urban areas of the Nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or severe economic distress. EDA works in partnership with state and local governments, regional economic development districts, public and private nonprofit organizations, and Indian tribes to empower communities to plan and implement locally and regionally-developed economic development and revitalization strategies."
Over the years numerous labor-intensive efforts (tie replacement, passenger car construction, etc.) have been funded by EDA grants to the Commission. The grant announced yesterday is the second of what will hopefully be five or more grants to return the track to its 1950-era standards.
JAC