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Adds youth sports facilities and related projects to the list of eligible purposes for Economic Development Administration (EDA) public works grants, and creates explicit selection criteria to prioritize projects that expand recreational space, serve children who lack access to facilities, assist rural and low‑income communities, target areas with high opioid use or violence, and support economic development and job creation. The change clarifies that projects which promote youth recreation and community revitalization may be considered alongside other EDA-eligible public works investments, but it does not itself appropriate new funds.
Amend Section 201 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3141) by inserting new text into subsection (a)(1) (the text to be inserted is referenced but not reproduced in this chunk)
Amend Section 201 by inserting new text into subsection (b)(1)(A) (the text to be inserted is referenced but not reproduced in this chunk)
Amend subsection (c) of Section 201 by (A) striking "or" at the end of paragraph (7), (B) replacing the period at the end of paragraph (8) with a semicolon, and (C) adding new paragraphs (9) through (13) at the end of subsection (c)
Add paragraph (9): authorize projects that address and mitigate the mental and physical health impacts of sedentary lifestyles and obesity by improving access to recreational space, including by developing youth sports facilities that serve the community
Add paragraph (10): authorize projects that benefit highly rural communities that do not have adequate tax revenues to invest in active lifestyle infrastructure
Who is affected and how:
Local governments and tribal governments: Can apply for EDA public works funding for youth sports and recreation projects; may see increased eligibility for community grant proposals. This may expand local capital planning options and attract investment for parks, fields, or gym facilities.
Nonprofit organizations and community groups: Organizations that build or operate youth recreation facilities may be better positioned to partner with eligible applicants or become subrecipients for projects that serve underserved youth.
Children and youth (especially in rural and low‑income areas): Intended direct beneficiaries through improved access to safe play and sports spaces, which can support health, social cohesion, and youth engagement.
Rural and low‑income communities: Prioritization language increases the chance that communities with limited recreational infrastructure receive consideration in EDA project selection.
Communities with high opioid use or violence: New language gives these areas explicit consideration, potentially directing investments to projects designed to provide safe alternatives and community supports.
Economic activity and jobs: Construction, facility operations, and related local spending tied to recreation projects could produce short‑term construction jobs and longer‑term economic spillovers (programming, events, maintenance).
What it does not do:
Overall impact:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Bill Huizenga · Last progress April 10, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House