First cohort of Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) fellows and host communities announced

This month, 65 Fellows will begin their two-and-a-half-year field placements with host organizations nationwide as part of the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) funded by the Economic Development Administration. Fellows will spearhead projects that, according to according to an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) press release, "advance new ways of doing economic development to build more resilient, inclusive, and equitable economies." The 65 selected projects are located across 44 states and territories. Of the 65 host sites, 62% are rural, 23% are mixed (urban, suburban, and rural), and 15% are urban. Nine of the 65 projects are led by tribes or involve a tribal organization as a primary partner. Each project receives a dedicated, fully funded Fellow for 2.5 years.

IEDC received over 500 applications from potential host organizations and over 1,400 Fellow applications from June through August. Sixty-nine percent of the selected Fellows are women, and 54% identify as people of color. Fellows come with professional experience (6-15+ years) in planning, entrepreneurship, community and economic development, public administration, marketing, rural development, and more.

IEDC is joined by six partner organizations, including the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACo RF), the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation (NADO RF), the National League of Cities Institute (NLCI), and RAIN Catalysts.

Learn more about the 65 fellows and their projects at www.economicrecoverycorps.org.