ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13577Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13577

Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative

This executive order establishes SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce-based initiative to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain domestic and foreign business investment in the United States. It creates a Federal Interagency Investment Working Group spanning nearly every cabinet department and major economic agency to promote the U.S. as a business location, serve as an investment ombudsman, and provide information to investors.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 35715

Impact dates

  1. Quarterly reports to President through NEC, DPC, and National Security Staff

Key directives

  • Establish SelectUSA Initiative housed in Department of Commerce
  • Designate Executive Director from senior Commerce staff
  • Create Federal Interagency Investment Working Group with 20+ specified agencies
  • Quarterly reporting to President through NEC, DPC, and National Security Staff
  • Exercise strict neutrality regarding specific U.S. locations
  • Coordinate federal outreach to promote U.S. as premier business location
  • Serve as ombudsman for resolving federal program issues affecting pending investments
  • Provide information on U.S. investment climate, federal incentives, and state/local economic development organizations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • SelectUSA Initiative established within Commerce Department
  • Federal Interagency Investment Working Group created
  • Executive Director position authorized

Near term (90d)

  • Executive Director designation by Secretary of Commerce
  • Working Group senior official designations from member agencies
  • Initial coordination mechanisms established

Long term

  • Ongoing quarterly reporting to President through NEC, DPC, and National Security Staff
  • Sustained interagency coordination on investment promotion
  • Potential structural shift in U.S. investment promotion approach

Risks & tensions

  • No new appropriations authorized; implementation constrained by 'existing appropriations' and 'extent permitted by law'
  • Strict location neutrality requirement may create tension with politically motivated investment announcements
  • Vague 'cooperate as requested' language for agency participation lacks enforcement mechanism
  • Broad agency membership in Working Group may produce coordination challenges rather than streamlined action
  • Quarterly reporting requirement is recurring but no start date specified
Executive Order 13577: Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative · Executive Orders