S. 1419 — Youth Sports Facilities Act of 2024

This section expands eligibility for Economic Development Administration (EDA) public works grants to include youth sports facilities by (1) authorizing grants for acquisition or development of land and improvements for youth sports in addition to public works, public service, or development facilities; (2) requiring that projects improve opportunities for the establishment, expansion, retention, or location of youth sports facilities, in addition to industrial or commercial facilities; and (3) adding grant considerations for projects that (9) address mental and physical health impacts of sedentary lifestyles and obesity through improved access to recreational space, including youth sports facilities; (10) benefit highly rural communities lacking revenues for active lifestyle infrastructure; (11) primarily serve low-income children in rural or underserved communities lacking sports facilities and facing high opioid use or violence; (12) support youth sports and recreation for economic development in communities lacking facilities; or (13) promote job creation through youth sports facilities and related businesses. (As background, EDA public works grants support infrastructure in economically distressed areas to foster job creation, business attraction, and long-term economic growth.)