FAQs - COVID-19 Webinar: A Ten-Point Action Plan for Economic Developers

How will local economies fare after the COVID-19 epidemic? What can we do now to prepare? These questions were addressed in an IEDC webinar on April 6, entitled “A Ten-Point Action Plan for Economic Developers” moderated by Tracye McDaniel, president of TIP Strategies Inc. and immediate past chair of IEDC’s board. The speakers were Richard Florida, Professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and School of Cities Distinguished Visiting Fellow - New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate and author of The Rise of the Creative Class and The New Urban Crisis, and Steven Pedigo, Professor of Practice at the Lyndon B. Johnson of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.

FAQs

How can I access the slides from the presentation and the recording of the webinar?

All of our webinar recordings, slides, recaps and FAQs can be found here on restoreyoureconomy.org. 

What is the title of the article that the presenters co-wrote? 

The article is called “Getting Urban Economies Back Up and Running after COVID-19”. You can read the article here on restoreyoureconomy.org. 

What are some of the EDOs doing in their communities to help their businesses during this time? 

Many EDOs are surveying their businesses to learn more about how they have been affected by COVID-19 and what support they need. Here are examples and templates of surveys. Here is an article on what EDOs are finding in these surveys. EDOs are also mobilizing information and listing resources available to businesses in their communities, an example of which can be found here. A key role EDOs can play during this crisis is to provide accurate information and help businesses access resources.

Past pandemics did not evolve to a need for social distancing. Why do you think this epidemic requires retrofitting our cities for social distancing? 

Actually, social distancing was implemented during previous pandemics, such as the 1918 flu. This article from the Los Angeles Times discusses how social distancing worked in combating the 1918 flu, and this article from the New York times shows how cities who practiced social distancing emerged with lower mortality rates and a better economy. 

What aid is available for the agriculture industry? 

Here is a list of resources, including a breakdown of the senate aid package, and a list of grants and loans available. Additional resources for the agriculture industry can be found through USDA, USDA Rural Development, and the Rural Health Information Hub.

What businesses are faring well during the pandemic? 

Businesses that have seen increased demand include food delivery services, grocery stores, and cleaning services. Here is a list from the US Chamber of types of small businesses operating successfully during COVID-19. Here is another article on businesses doing well, as well as an analysis of what these businesses are doing differently. Big Tech is also faring well, according to this article by The Economist. 

How can I better utilize technological tools to navigate this crisis?

There will be another webinar next Monday, April 13 at 3pm EST on technology solutions to assist economic developers. Register here.