---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 2009aa–2"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "2009aa–2"
heading: "Economic and community development grants"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/2009aa-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 50 — Agricultural Credit"
  - "Subchapter VI — Delta Regional Authority"
---

# §2009aa–2. Economic and community development grants

- (a) **In general—** The [Authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) may approve grants to [States](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), Indian Tribes, and public and nonprofit entities for projects, approved in accordance with [section 2009aa–8 of this title](/usc/7/2009aa–8.md)—
  - (1) to develop the transportation infrastructure of the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) for the purpose of facilitating economic development in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) (except that grants for this purpose may only be made to a [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1), Tribal, or local government);
  - (2) to assist the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2) in obtaining the job training, [employment](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10)-related education, and business development (with an emphasis on entrepreneurship) that are needed to build and maintain strong local economies;
  - (3) to provide assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped areas that lack financial resources for improving basic public services;
  - (4) to provide assistance to severely distressed and underdeveloped areas that lack financial resources for equipping industrial parks and related facilities; and
  - (5) to otherwise achieve the purposes of this subchapter.
- (b) **Funding—**
  - (1) **In general—** Funds for grants under [subsection (a)](#a) may be provided—
    - (A) entirely from appropriations to carry out this section;
    - (B) in combination with funds available under another Federal or [Federal grant program](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=3); or
    - (C) from any other source.
  - (2) **Priority of funding—** To best build the foundations for long-term economic development and to complement other Federal and [State](/usc/7/2009.md?p=1) resources in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2), Federal funds available under this subchapter shall be focused on the activities in the following order or priority:
    - (A) Basic public infrastructure in distressed counties and isolated areas of distress.
    - (B) Transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2).
    - (C) Business development, with emphasis on entrepreneurship.
    - (D) Job training or [employment](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-10)-related education, with emphasis on use of existing public educational institutions located in the [region](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 87–128, title III, § 382C, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title V, § 503], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–274; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title VI, § 6027(c), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 373; Pub. L. 118–272, div. B, title II, § 2253(e), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 3213.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–272, § 2253(e)(1), inserted “, Indian Tribes,” after “States” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–272, § 2253(e)(2), inserted “, Tribal,” after “State”.

2002—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 107–171 struck out heading and text of par. (3). Text read as follows: “Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the Federal share in any grant program, funds appropriated to carry out this section may be used to increase a Federal share in a grant program, as the Authority determines appropriate.”