Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Program
A New Partnership for Economic Transformation
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The Economic Recovery Corps Program (ERC) is a multi-year, $30 million 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 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: Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACo RF), National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation (NADO RF), National League of Cities Institute (NLCI), and RAIN Catalysts.
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Host applications now open. Applications are due June 30.
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Press Release Host Application Launch Announcement here
Why This Initiative? Why Now?
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, which led to vastly different outcomes that continue to impact recovery efforts. Economic development approaches have and will continue to pivot in the coming years, and to ensure that communities do not get left further behind, new approaches to building capacity are necessary.
About the Program
To meet this moment, IEDC and its partners are building a nationwide corps of diverse, cross-sector talent with the skills and expertise to help activate regional economic development strategies that promote connectivity, innovation, and knowledge-sharing between urban, rural, and tribal areas across the U.S. Over the course of the 2.5-year (30 month) fellowship, selected host organizations will receive technical assistance, planning, and capacity-building support from an ERC Fellow who will be based in their community or region.
IEDC and its partners will place up to 65 Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellows in economic development and related organizations in under resourced communities throughout the nation. Hosts will reflect the entire community and economic development field spectrum, from city and county government to regional coalitions, economic development organizations, economic development districts (EDDs), and entrepreneurial technical assistance providers. Fellows will be highly-trained early to mid-career professionals, equipped to help identify and advance innovative, locally-driven initiatives to build stronger, more resilient, and inclusive economies.
This new initiative has the potential to shift the practice of economic development nationwide in an unprecedented manner — by centering the concerns of under-resourced regions while simultaneously investing in a cohort of diverse practitioners and leaders equipped with the skills necessary to usher in a new era of economic prosperity that is equitable and sustainable.
About the Partnership
IEDC’s six national partner organizations will expand the reach of the program, lend their expertise to host and fellow program participants, and impart the lessons learned from ERC to the economic development community at large.
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Words from Our Partners
Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, NLC
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.
Washington, DC
Joe McKinney, Research Foundation Executive Director, NADO
We in the economic development community know that while the event that causes an economic shock may have a finite period, recovery never really ends. As part of the Economic Recovery Corps program, we are excited to support communities and organizations, particularly those that are underserved, with their economic recovery efforts. 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.
Washington, DC
Caroline Cummings, CEO, RAIN
On behalf of the Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN), I would like to thank the International Economic Development Council for inviting our organization to participate in the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program alongside so many other distinguished economic and entrepreneurial development organizations. Since 2014, RAIN 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
Eugene, OR
Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director, Center on Rural Innovation
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.
Hartland, VT
Matt Chase, CEO and Executive Director, NACo
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.
Washington, DC
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Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities (NLC), explains the vital role localities, municipalities, and cities play in the Economic Recovery Corps' mission to rebuild, strengthen, and develop sustainable, resilient cities of the future. |
Discover how the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) is working with IEDC to transform communities across the country "for years to come" and how they will play a critical role in actualizing change from RAIN CEO Caroline Cummings. |
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Find out how the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) plans to build up communities still feeling the effects of the COVID pandemic and prepare them for future unexpected situations from NADO Research Foundation Executive Director Joe McKinney. |
Listen in as Matthew Chase, CEO of the National Association of Counties, discusses how their partnership with IEDC and EDA will create opportunities and elevate underserved communities and counties through the Economic Recovery Corps. |
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Hear from Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director of the Center on Rural Innovation, about his insights on working with IEDC and EDA to build rural tech economies nationwide.
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Learn More
Host Application Opens Press Release
NLCI Helps Launch Economic Recovery Corps
Read more about the National League of Cities Institute’s partnership with IEDC and the EDA to help fulfill the Economic Recovery Corps's mission to support more communities in their implementation of sustainable strategies, enabling long-term growth and resilience.
NADO Research Foundation Partners with the Economic Recovery Corp (ERC) Program
Learn how the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation (NADO RF) will contribute to the Economic Recovery Corps partnership with the IEDC and EDA, effecting positive change in communities nationwide.
Craig Buerstatte's Interview
Tune in and learn more about the Economic Recovery Corps in a discussion on the Federal News Network's "Federal Drive" podcast between host Tom Temin and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Craig Buerstatte.
Economic Recovery Corps Launch Press Release
Read the full U.S. Economic Development Administration and International Economic Development Council's press release announcing the Economic Recovery Corps from November 2022.
This webpage was prepared by IEDC using Federal funds under the award ED22HDQ3070188 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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