The Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) is a new, collaborative initiative designed to accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in distressed communities and regions throughout the U.S. by connecting organizations with the talent and capacity needed to advance new ways of doing economic development that promote economic resilience and transformative change.
The Economic Recovery Corps was created to address long-standing economic issues in America that came into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for historically underserved populations and communities, that continue to impact recovery efforts.
Economic development approaches have and will continue to pivot in the coming years. To ensure that communities do not get left further behind, new approaches to building capacity are needed.
The ERC is funded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the CARES Act and led by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in partnership with six leading national organizations:
As the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, the National League of Cities is thrilled to be a core partner to the Economic Recovery Corps. Many of the communities our organization represents are small and rural, and this effort will help break down the urban-rural divide and ensure that all types of communities have the capacity and resources needed to effectively engage in economic development work.
What we hope to do through this effort is accelerate the recovery from the pandemic and equip organizations like Economic Development Districts with the tools necessary to prepare and respond to any future changes in the economy. It’s a big challenge ahead, but also a tremendous opportunity to reimagine the possibilities for how economic development can improve the lives of local residents and the communities they call home.
Since 2014, RAIN Catalysts has worked to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation for underrepresented populations and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, and we look forward to sharing the lessons and best practices from these endeavors with passionate and talented individuals who will be tasked with accelerating economic and entrepreneurial development efforts in underserved communities throughout the nation.
At the Center on Rural Innovation, we’ve learned rural communities across the country are excited to build tech economies of the future. The Economic Recovery Corps offers the opportunity for new economic development leaders to come and help lead that charge.
Counties play an important role in fostering conditions for economic strength and creating opportunities for all our residents to prosper. The Economic Recovery Corps will add capacity to our efforts, facilitating robust collaboration between county leaders and economic development professionals. As we strive to build resilient county economies, the Economic Recovery Corps will help position our people and places to thrive.
