---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3171"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3171"
heading: "Designation of economic development districts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3171"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Public Works and Economic Development"
  - "Subchapter IV — Economic Development Districts"
---

# §3171. Designation of economic development districts

- (a) **In general—** In order that economic development [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) of broad geographic significance may be planned and carried out, the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may designate appropriate [economic development districts](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A) in the [United States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=16), with the concurrence of the [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) in which the districts will be wholly or partially located, if—
  - (1) the proposed district is of sufficient size or population, and contains sufficient resources, to foster economic development on a scale involving more than a single area described in [section 3161(a) of this title](/usc/42/3161.md?p=a);
  - (2) the proposed district contains at least 1 area described in [section 3161(a) of this title](/usc/42/3161.md?p=a); and
  - (3) the proposed district has a [comprehensive economic development strategy](/usc/42/3122.md?p=3) that—
    - (A) contains a specific program for intra-district cooperation, self-help, and public investment; and
    - (B) is approved by each affected [State](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) and by the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13).
- (b) **Authorities—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may, under regulations promulgated by the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13)—
  - (1) invite the [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14) to determine boundaries for proposed [economic development districts](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A);
  - (2) cooperate with the [States](/usc/42/3122.md?p=14)—
    - (A) in sponsoring and assisting district economic planning and economic development groups; and
    - (B) in assisting the district groups in formulating [comprehensive economic development strategies](/usc/42/3122.md?p=3) for districts; and
  - (3) encourage participation by appropriate local government entities in the [economic development districts](/usc/42/3122.md?p=5-A).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–136, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 105–393, title I, § 102(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3608.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3171, Pub. L. 89–136, title IV, § 403, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 562; Pub. L. 91–304, § 1(d), July 6, 1970, 84 Stat. 375; Pub. L. 92–65, title I, § 108, Aug. 5, 1971, 85 Stat. 167; Pub. L. 93–46, § 4, June 18, 1973, 87 Stat. 96; Pub. L. 93–423, § 7, Sept. 27, 1974, 88 Stat. 1161; Pub. L. 94–487, title I, § 115, Oct. 12, 1976, 90 Stat. 2335; Pub. L. 96–506, § 1(7), Dec. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 2745; Pub. L. 97–35, title XVIII, § 1821(a)(6), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 766, authorized Secretary to designate economic development districts and centers, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–393, § 102(a).

A prior section 401 of Pub. L. 89–136 was classified to section 3161 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–393, § 102(a).

### 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.