---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3131"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3131"
heading: "Establishment of economic development partnerships"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3131"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Public Works and Economic Development"
  - "Subchapter I — Economic Development Partnerships Cooperation and Coordination"
---

# §3131. Establishment of economic development partnerships

- (a) **In general—** In providing assistance under this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall cooperate with [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) and other entities to ensure that, consistent with national objectives, Federal programs are compatible with and further the objectives of [State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14), regional, and local economic development plans and [comprehensive economic development strategies](/usc/42/3122.md?p=3).
- (b) **Technical assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may provide such technical assistance to [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14), political subdivisions of [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14), sub-[State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) regional organizations (including organizations that cross [State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) boundaries), multi-[State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) regional organizations, and [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations as the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) determines is appropriate to—
  - (1) alleviate economic distress;
  - (2) encourage and support public-private partnerships for the formation and improvement of economic development strategies that sustain and promote economic development across the [United States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=16); and
  - (3) promote investment in infrastructure and technological capacity to keep pace with the changing global economy.
- (c) **Intergovernmental review—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall promulgate regulations to ensure that appropriate [State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) and local government [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) have been given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on proposed [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) under this subchapter that the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) determines may have a significant direct impact on the economy of the area.
- (d) **Cooperation agreements—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may enter into a cooperation agreement with any 2 or more [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14), or an organization of any 2 or more [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14), in support of effective economic development.
  - (2) **Participation—** Each cooperation agreement shall provide for suitable participation by other governmental and nongovernmental entities that are representative of significant interests in and perspectives on economic development in an area.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–136, title I, § 101, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3600; amended Pub. L. 108–373, title I, § 103, Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1759.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3131, Pub. L. 89–136, title I, § 101, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 552; Pub. L. 91–123, title III, § 301(1), Nov. 25, 1969, 83 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 92–65, title I, § 102, Aug. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 166; Pub. L. 94–487, title I, § 103, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2331, authorized direct and supplementary grants, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–393, § 102(a).

### Amendments

2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–373, § 103(1), substituted “multi-State regional organizations, and nonprofit organizations” for “and multi-State regional organizations” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 108–373, § 103(2), struck out “adjoining” before “States” in two places.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Feb. 11, 1999, see section 105 of Pub. L. 105–393, set out as a note under section 3121 of this title.