Oct 30, 2024
Dennis is joined by Shawn Donovan, an Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellow working in West Virginia. They discuss the Economic Recovery Corp, what it is like to be an ERC Fellow and Shaun's work in West Virginia. New River Gorge National Park
ERC Project
Project Title: Redefining West Virginia’s Region 1's Economy; Life After Coal
Host Community or Region: West Virginia
Host Organization: Region I Planning & Development Council, in collaboration with the Town of Fayetteville, WV
A New Partnership for Economic Transformation - 65 Fellows, 65 Catalytic Projects, 42 States, 2 Territories
The Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) program launched in 2023 through a $30 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Funded through the CARES Act, ERC aims to address long-standing economic disparities in America that surfaced during the COVID-19 pandemic, build capacity in -hard-hit communities, and cultivate the next generation of economic development leaders.
The ERC program is led by the International Economic
Development Council (IEDC) in
partnership with six leading national organizations from
across the economic development
landscape. Over a 30-month Fellowship, 65 Fellows
are working alongside Host Organizations in under-resourced
communities, building a nationwide corps of diverse,
cross-sector talent with the skills and expertise to activate
regional strategies and promote innovation. The Fellowship
promotes connectivity and knowledge-sharing among urban,
rural, and tribal areas to elevate new
practices and transform the field of economic
development.