The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (Pub.L.
89−136, 79 Stat.
552) established the Economic Development Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide grants to economically distressed communities to support employment and industrial and commercial growth.
[1] The bill became law on August 26, 1965 and was substantially amended by the Economic Development Administration Reform Act of 1998.
[1]