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The following is a summary of the Disaster Recommendations Through a Pandemic Lens chapter of the updated Leadership in Times of Crisis Toolkit. This toolkit provides economic developers with tactics, resources, and examples to help recover from a disaster and build resilience. It was launched in August 2022 and funded by the Economic Development Administration. Summary In 2021, IEDC received a grant from the Economic Development Administration entitled Recovery and Resilience Strategies for Pandemics: What We’ve Learned from Covid-19. Through this grant, IEDC set out to understand two main priorities: 1) how communities can best respond and adapt to pandemics as conditions and impacts change; and 2) how communities can incorporate ...

After a natural disaster, while news headlines concentrate on immediate search and rescue efforts, the critical leadership work for economic developers and local officials is to address recovery challenges. IEDC, in partnership with ICMA (International City/County Management Association) and with funding from FEMA, has developed a series of in-depth case studies to highlight successful recovery strategies. In 2008 the Cedar River flooded 5,900 properties and damaged 310 city facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The disaster left 18,000 residents displaced and more than 700 businesses with flood recovery needs totaling $1.5 billion. As part of a 20-year capital plan for a flood control system, the City of Cedar Rapids bought and destroyed ...

After a natural disaster, while news headlines concentrate on immediate search and rescue efforts, the critical leadership work for economic developers and local officials is to address recovery challenges. IEDC, in partnership with ICMA (International City/County Management Association) and with funding from FEMA, has developed a series of in-depth case studies to highlight successful recovery strategies. The neighborhood of Bee Branch in Dubuque, Iowa, had six Presidential Declarations due to flooding between 1999 and 2011, with estimated damages of $70 million. In this area, 69 percent of the population earns less than 80 percent of the median income. In 1999, the storm event was complicated by a simultaneous tornado warning. As ...

The following is a summary of the Introduction chapter of the updated Leadership in Times of Crisis Toolkit. This toolkit provides economic developers with tactics, resources, and examples to help recover from a disaster and build resilience. It was launched in August 2022 and funded by the Economic Development Administration. Chapter 1: Introduction In disaster-impacted communities, EDOs are in a position to lead economic recovery efforts. Yet all too often, these efforts are reactionary rather than a planned and strategic response. The key to rapid recovery is to take steps ahead of time to ensure your organization can fulfill the needs of the community after any type of major incident. This toolkit will help you to set up a plan of ...

In the past few years there have been substantial efforts to revitalize and diversify Eastern Kentucky’s post-coal economy through small business programs and other local initiatives. However, heavy flooding has and will continue to wash away much of the progress these communities make unless more is done to minimize physical damage from future disasters. Widespread flash flooding recently devastated several Eastern Kentucky counties, killing at least 39 people. The region lies within Appalachia, one of the nation’s most economically depressed and vulnerable regions. Its high poverty rate, mountainous landscape, and housing dispersed in remote valleys all exacerbate the impact of extreme weather which is likely to become more ...

As climate change concerns grow, knowing the economic impacts of natural disasters will be critical to supporting the most at-risk communities. Extreme heat will have significant economic consequences across the United States, primarily in fatalities, reduced working efficiency, and major damage to critical infrastructure. According to the CDC, more than 600 Americans die each year from extreme heat—more than from any other type of natural disaster—with an estimated financial impact of $100 billion. Reduced efficiency due to extreme heat significantly impacts industries that depend on manual labor and/or are based outdoors, such as agriculture and construction. Employers need to increase accommodations for shade, water ...

The Urban Institute recently hosted a webinar to discuss the challenges rural and Native communities face in building capacity for disaster resilience. Panelists from across the United States examined the impacts of extreme weather events on rural and Native people and places. Bringing differing perspectives to the issue of preparing rural and Native communities for disasters, the speakers touched on the growing impact of climate change, the increasing need for capacity building, the need for more assistance and resources in the grant application process, and other topics surrounding resilience. The webinar emphasized the importance of planning, response, and recovery initiatives as well as policies and programs that can help communities ...

IEDC is now accepting submissions for the 2022 Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards. Take advantage of early-bird pricing and submit your entry by April 8. Please send any questions to [email protected]. The Excellence and Leadership in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs, partnerships, and marketing materials, and the year’s most influential economic development leaders. These prestigious awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Winners are recognized at IEDC's Annual Conference. Receiving an IEDC award showcases your achievements and impact in the field. Below ...