Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13577: Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative

President: Barack Obama

Created a federal initiative to attract retain and facilitate business investment in US communities.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13577 still in effect? Yes. Active Commerce Department program promoting and facilitating foreign direct investment in the United States.

What does Executive Order 13577 do?

EO 13577 established SelectUSA in the Commerce Department as the government-wide investment-promotion initiative. It provides information, ombudsman help and coordination to investors and state or local economic-development organizations while maintaining federal neutrality among US locations. SelectUSA remains active and runs investment summits and related services.

Administration position: SelectUSA helps investors navigate government and promotes the country; it does not guarantee permits incentives financing or a preferred US location.
SignedJune 15, 2011
LeadCommerce Secretary
Core servicesInformation advocacy and ombudsman support

Before and after

Before the order

Federal investment-promotion responsibilities were fragmented and lacked a single national point of contact.

After the order

Commerce coordinated a whole-of-government investment service and worked with state and local organizations.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Commerce DepartmentOperate SelectUSA and coordinate agenciesContinuing
Federal agenciesProvide lawful information and ombudsman assistanceContinuing
State and local organizationsParticipate on a competitively neutral basisContinuing

What happened next

EO 13577 created SelectUSA.