NACo is pleased to partner with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) to launch the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program. Supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Economic Recovery Corps will place 65 fellows with a variety of local and regional economic development organizations, including counties, cities, economic development districts and entrepreneurial support organizations across the country. As specially trained economic development professionals, ERC fellows will support local economic recovery initiatives by strengthening local and regional partnerships, identifying resources and opportunities, instilling best practices and advancing project implementation.

NACo encourages counties to apply as a host organization and be strategically matched with an ERC fellow. Working directly in and with their host community for over two years, ERC fellows will actively advance the host community’s economic development goals. Priority placements will be in areas with low economic development capacity and resources. Applications to host an ERC fellow are now open and are due June 30, 2023.

Counties play an essential role in economic development by attracting and retaining businesses, fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems, investing in infrastructure and convening cross-sector community partnerships. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the important role counties also play in business recovery. However, many rural and small counties lack resources, time and staff capacity to undertake economic development projects or navigate complex funding applications. ERC fellows will help overcome these constraints.

To learn more about this opportunity and application updates, visit IEDC’s ERC Economic Recovery Corps homepage or contact Grace Blanchard, Program Manager for Resilient Economies and Communities, at gblanchard@naco.org. Register here to attend an Informational Webinar on June 7, 2023.