13 CFR § 304.1 - Designation of Economic Development Districts: Regional eligibility.
Upon the request of a District Organization (as defined in § 304.2), EDA may designate a Region as an Economic Development District if such Region:
(a) Contains at least one geographic area that is subject to the economic distress criteria set forth in § 301.3(a)(1) of this chapter and is identified in an approved CEDS;
(b) Is of sufficient size or population and contains sufficient resources to foster economic development on a scale involving more than a single geographic area subject to the economic distress criteria set forth in § 301.3(a)(1) of this chapter;
(c) Has an EDA-approved CEDS that:
(1) Meets the requirements under § 303.7 of this chapter;
(2) Contains a specific program for intra-District cooperation, self-help, and public investment; and
(3) Is approved by each affected State and by the Assistant Secretary;
(d) Obtains commitments from at least a majority of the counties or other areas within the proposed District, as determined by EDA, to support the economic development activities of the District; and
(e) Obtains the concurrence with the designation request from the State (or States) in which the proposed District will be wholly or partially located.