IEDC provides resources and research that promote and explore the field of economic development. Research is conducted by our staff, and engages our membership, resulting in products that are relevant, timely, and actionable.  

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. 

Learn More

A Sample from the Archives

IEDC’s Clearinghouse information and research services (CIRS) is for IEDC members who have an economic development question that they need assistance answering. This can be best practice questions, background information for starting a new project, or ideas on how to accomplish a goal. Our researchers use our repository of information on the latest trends, best practices, case studies, and ongoing debates on economic development issues affecting communities across the United States and abroad to answer your question. CIRS is like having a research librarian, trained in economic development, at your fingertips. With an extensive library of information, the answer to your question is only a click away. 

IEDC has a long history of assisting communities in the wake of disasters. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, IEDC began coordinating member volunteers to provide technical assistance to the region. Thanks to grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), IEDC and volunteer members have completed over 335 individual technical assistance engagements.

Learn More

Resources

IEDC is a thought and action leader in the field of economic resilience and recovery. Recent research projects include:  

Leadership in Times of Crisis: A Toolkit for Economic Recovery and Resilience

IEDC first released the Leadership in a Time of Crisis toolkit in 2015; the 2022 edition has been updated and includes information about pandemic response and resilience. The Toolkit was developed by IEDC with nationwide input and funded by a grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.

  DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

Leadership in Times of Crisis provides strategies and tactics for community leaders to focus on economic recovery and preserving jobs, incorporating useful information for convening private and public stakeholders to identify key economic recovery strategies, tips on how to navigate federal resources for response and recovery, and implementation of recovery initiatives. 

A summary of each chapter, along with additional resources, can be found in the accompanying Workbook.

What We’ve Learned from Covid-19
IEDC’s new white paper, What We’ve Learned from Covid-19, is the culmination of an 18-month research project tracking the pandemic responses of eight communities. In addition to an analysis of the communities, and a profile of each, the paper includes the nine best and most promising practices that economic development organizations can implement to become more resilient, especially to pandemics. 

 DOWNLOAD HERE

RestoreYourEconomy.org 

RestoreYourEconomy.org includes information on disaster preparedness, post-disaster economic recovery, disaster resiliency resources, tools, and event announcements. This site also gives communities opportunities to connect with peers through social media groups. The website explains how economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, local business and trade organizations, and other economic recovery stakeholders can take a lead role in economic recovery before and after a major disaster.

Volunteer

There are many ways to volunteer with IEDC. Participate on a technical assistance panel, advise a community on a topic, instruct at a workshop, assist a community with implementing a new program, or facilitate meetings. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form here! 

SUBMIT VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM