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.