Economic Recovery Corps

The Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) new Economic Recovery Corps creates a connected network addressing the resource gap between planning and implementation, boosting the capacity of communities to implement locally driven economic development strategies. Through a $30 million cooperative agreement, the ERC recruits, and places more than 65 trained Fellows in economic development organizations throughout the nation. Serving two-and-a-half year terms, Fellows will help organizations (known as Hosts) develop and execute regional economic development plans and projects in the communities they serve. 

Meet the cohort of 65 fellows and explore the projects unique to each host community by visiting www.economicrecoverycorps.org. 

The program is led by the International Economic Development Council. Other coalition members, include: 

• 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) 

• Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) 

Through a combination of strategic, operational, and funding support, Fellows will enhance the capacity of their host organizations and help improve economic development outcomes in their host regions. Contact IEDC at http://www.economicrecoverycorps.org/contact-us and sign up updates over the next 30 months by joining the newsletter at http://www.economicrecoverycorps.org/updates. 

More Information 

• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) 

• Federal News Network Podcast featuring the Economic Recovery Corps program (aired December 9, 2022) 

• Thriving Communities Network.  EDA’s ERC program is part of the Department of Commerce’s broader efforts to provide financial and technical assistance to advance locally driven strategies for inclusive and resilient regional economies. Through the interagency Thriving Communities Network, EDA is committed to coordinating the ERC program and collaborating closely with partnering agencies including DOT, EPA, USDA, Energy, GSA, HUD and more on an array of planning, implementation, and technical support programs available to ensure these investments create long-term benefits nationwide. Learn about additional federal place-based technical assistance resources available in your community on the Thriving Communities Network website at: https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network. 

Contact Us 

Questions or comments about the Economic Recovery Corps should be addressed to networks@eda.gov.