EDA University Center

The EDA University Center (UTUC) has been operated by the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) since 2006. The University Center leverages the resources, research and technology assets of the statewide University of Tennessee system to enhance regional innovation ecosystems and economic growth across Tennessee, with a focus in the following areas:

  1. Building community capacity for economic development.
  2. Help companies innovate and expand
  3. Advance entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.
     

With offices and staff across Tennessee, UT CIS leverages the relationships with its innovation partners to support state and regional strategies for economic development. The focus and activities of the University Center align with the economic development strategies of the state of Tennessee, the state’s nine development districts, and other key regional economic development initiatives. 

The UTUC works with numerous federal, state and regional partners in its work to build community capacity and economic competitiveness. The Tennessee Certified Economic Developer Program engages partnerships across the state to deliver comprehensive training in the principles and practices of economic and community development, and serves as the state's professional development program for practitioners at state, regional, and community levels.

Partnerships also include the Asset Based Planning approach to community economic development goal setting, which was developed in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and now serves as the goal setting framework for the state's ThreeStar Program for Community Preparedness.

The University Center also leverages several significant federal and state investments housed within UT CIS to advance business and industry competitiveness, including the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), and the OSHA training Institute. 

Economic Resiliency

Economic developers play a vital role in building economic resiliency in their local and regional economies. Being prepared on the front end can significantly affect a community's ability to bounce back after a disruption. 

In response to the widespread impact of COVID-19, the UT Center for Industrial Services’ EDA University Center developed a guide to provide economic developers and community leaders with practical tips and resources to build resiliency into all aspects of their economic development strategies.

 

Download the Economic Resiliency Guide

 

Download fillable resource documents and templates for strategies and assessments suggested in the Resiliency Guide:

Business Continuity Master Checklist

Business Continuity Plan Template

Business Emergency Response Survey

External Stakeholders - Call Log

Internal Stakeholders/Employee - Call Log

Emergency Call Tree Template

Disaster Contact Tree Template / Call Log

Disaster Recovery Communications Plan 

Emergency Communications Checklist (SBA)

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment

Online and Social Media Presence Checklists

 

View the COVID-19 Resource Dashboard