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). ICMA is a core partner with IEDC and is leading a public sector cohort of communities and fellows in conjunction with the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties. Other partners on the IEDC led team include the National Association of Development Organizations and RAIN Catalysts.
About the Program
Launched in 2023, the ERC program has built 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.
The program has placed 65 ERC Fellows in economic development and related organizations in under resourced communities throughout the nation. Fellows are 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.
