Economic Development services are performed by the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The Department coordinates SARPC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) which offers low-interest loans to private companies to assist in financing business improvements related to economic growth.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development’s economic development services also are targeted to the cultivation and development of workforce resources at the local, regional and state levels. The department is actively engaged with officials at these levels in the operation of a new regional workforce development program that merges the needs of prospective employees, employers and service providers into a coordinated and uniform system. The department also administers an annual Job Fair where prospective employers representing private, public and non-profit organizations have the opportunity to meet directly with job seekers. The department has coordinated eight (8) very successful Job Fairs since 1997.