By Alexa Schutz
This month, IEDC and its partners ushered in the first Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) cohort with a dynamic kickoff event in Portland, Oregon. Funded by EDA, the ERC program is a forward-thinking initiative designed to build capacity in economically distressed areas across the United States and cultivate the next generation of economic development leaders.
The four-day training and networking event was designed to prepare the 65-fellow cohort to commence their 2.5-year field placements with host organizations across the country—spearheading catalytic projects to build more resilient, inclusive, and equitable economies.
Power of convening
The event marked the first in-person gathering of ERC fellows, host organizations, and coalition partners since the selection process concluded in December. Held at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, the ballroom buzzed with excitement and anticipation as more than 150 attendees gathered to embark on this transformative journey. With inspiring speeches, lively panels, discussions, workshops, and networking, the ERC community came alive, fueled by a shared sense of purpose and a commitment to driving change in the economic development field.
Featured speakers included national partners and local and regional economic development leaders from Portland and the surrounding area, including: Sheba Person-Whitley (Regional Director, EDA Seattle Regional Office), Ted Wheeler (Mayor of Portland), Sophorn Cheang (Director, Business Oregon), Margi Hoffman (State Director, USDA Rural Development Oregon), Shea Flaherty-Betin (Economic Development Director, Prosper Portland), Jan Mason (Interim CEO and President, Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon), Juan Barraza (Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, VertueLab), and Tamara Kennedy (Director of Economic Development, Port of Portland).
The speakers shared lessons learned from the pandemic, regional innovation and solutions, and new ways of thinking about economic development. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration and collective action in addressing complex social and economic challenges.
Looking forward
As the week concluded, the energy and enthusiasm were palpable, signaling the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Armed with newfound knowledge, connections, and a shared sense of purpose, the ERC community emerged from the event ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work tackling pressing issues and projects unique to their host communities.
The 65 selected host projects are located across 42 states and two territories and represent an exciting cross section of rural, urban, and tribal communities (62% of host communities are rural). ERC host organizations span city and county government to nonprofits, universities, chambers, CDFIs, regional coalitions, community-based and tribal-led organizations, tourism agencies, economic development districts (EDDs), main streets, and more.
Much like their selected hosts, the fellows represent a truly diverse cross section of talent from a variety of industries, sectors, and disciplines. The majority of fellows come with more than 10 years of professional experience working in a variety of contexts in the U.S. and internationally. Sixty-nine percent of the fellows are women, and 54% identify as people of color.
Over the next 2.5 years, ERC fellows will deliver intensive, capacity-building support to communities large and small across the country, helping to activate regional economic development strategies and promote innovation and knowledge-sharing between urban, rural, and tribal areas, elevate new practices, and transform the field of economic development
Connect with the ERC cohort
By joining the ERC program, fellows and hosts will become members of the IEDC network over the next 2.5 years, attending IEDC’s annual conferences and partaking in professional development opportunities such as training courses. We encourage you to connect with them, especially if there is a project located near you or related to a topic pertinent to your community.
Stay tuned for regular program updates, participant spotlights, and progress on projects throughout the program. IEDC and the ERC partner coalition will be disseminating shared learning, research, and new practices from the ERC cohort with our members and the economic development community.
Meet the inspiring cohort of 65 fellows and explore the impactful projects unique to each host community by visiting www.economicrecoverycorps.org.
Read the full press release and sign up for ERC program updates.
Contact IEDC's ERC team at [email protected] with questions on how to support the ERC program or connect with a project located near you.
About the ERC Partner Coalition
The ERC program, funded by EDA, is led by IEDC in partnership with six leading national organizations that represent various facets of America’s economic development landscape: 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. The ERC partner coalition will lend their expertise and coaching to fellow and host participants, and impart lessons learned and research from ERC to the economic development community at large.
Photos: photosbykim