EDCO Ventures is currently undertaking the following programs focused in economically distressed regions:
Texas Border Initiative
The U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with EDCO Ventures to address the sub-standard economic conditions of the Texas/Mexico Border. Cameron, Hidalgo, Webb and El Paso counties, with a weighted, per capita income one half of the national average ($11,457), are the focus of this partnership.
Successes in this program include: Cherry Fusion
Central Texas Initiative
EDCO Ventures created this program in Jan 2008 to address the income gap and poverty pockets that go unnoticed by the significant wealth found in Central Texas. The top fifth of Texas families make 8.1 times more than the bottom fifth. This is second only to New York state. Travis County holds a 7% lead in the state average of families earning over $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, Travis County poverty rates are higher than the national average and, when cost of living is factored in, are higher than the state average.
Success stories in this program include: PikLuk and MediaStove