Launched through a $30M cooperative agreement with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Economic Recovery Corps deploys experienced economic development professionals into distressed communities nationwide — accelerating investment, strengthening institutions, and delivering measurable economic outcomes.
Capacity Drives Opportunity.
Talent Accelerates Results.
We invest in long-term, embedded capacity — placing experienced talent where it’s needed most so communities can turn bold ideas into funded, implementable results. When communities have capacity, economic opportunity follows.
1%
of host organizations report strengthened capacity
1%
of host communities accessed new funding
1+
businesses supported
$1M
unlocked for distressed communities
1%
private capital
1:1
return on a ERC’s original $30M investment.
1
regional strategies advanced
1+
partnerships that connect lower-resource and higher-resource communities
1
organizations with improved resilience to natural or other disasters
ERC Impact Dashboard
Building a Network of Resilience
65 Catalytic Projects | 42 States | 2 Territories | 9 Tribal Nations
Experienced Fellows are embedded locally and connected nationally.
Communities bring bold ideas.
ERC brings the capacity to advance them.
Together, they form a cross-sector network linking rural towns, Tribal nations, and urban centers — strengthening institutions, sharing knowledge in real time, and accelerating solutions across housing, infrastructure, workforce, climate resilience, and entrepreneurship.
This network ensures that today’s lessons shape tomorrow’s economic strategies — creating a ripple effect of lasting, systemic change.
Why This Model Matters
There is no substitute for boots-on-the-ground capacity.
ERC embeds experienced professionals inside local institutions for 30 months — building trust, navigating complexity, and staying relentlessly focused on moving projects from idea to implementation.
That long-term, embedded presence accelerates results. When capacity is in place, capital follows. Embedded talent speeds implementation. Public investment attracts private capital. Stronger institutions produce durable economic outcomes.
ERC demonstrates that sustained, on-the-ground expertise — not short-term technical assistance — is what turns investment into lasting economic opportunity.
Stories from the Field
Real Voices. Real Impact. Real Communities.
The Next Chapter
Partner with Us to Shape the Next Era of Impact
As ERC approaches the close of its initial investment cycle, the results are clear:
Investing in local capacity accelerates economic recovery and strengthens communities for the long term.
We are now seeking partners and investors to launch the next ERC cohort in 2028 — expanding this proven model to reach more communities nationwide.
Become A Partner
Invest In The Next Cohort