EDRP Briefs

Once COVID-19 made it to U.S. shores, it wasn’t long before the economy, and much of daily life, essentially shut down. Since then, U.S. economic developers have found themselves facing the challenge of a lifetime. How are leading EDOs meeting the challenges COVID-19 brings to their businesses, communities, and organizations? 
 
The International Economic Development Council's Economic Development Research Partners (EDRP) program provides top-level economic developers the opportunity to support and direct cutting-edge research that advances the economic development profession as a whole. In response to COVID-19, EDRP is releasing a series of briefs on different issues economic developers are facing, featuring responses from EDRP members. 
 

July 2, 2020 - Equity and Inclusion 

June 26, 2020 - Future Focus

June 19, 2020 - Supporting Businesses

June 12, 2020 - Managing EDOs in a Crisis - part 2 of 2

June 5, 2020 - Managing EDOs in a Crisis - part 1 of 2 

May 18, 2020 - Reopening 

Insights from economic development professionals in ~3 minutes

Since spring 2020, the triple challenge of a global pandemic, an economic recession, and a public reckoning over U.S. racial inequity have put economic development organizations under tremendous pressure.

Economic development leaders have had to learn how to serve their communities in new ways, keep their teams motivated, address organizational challenges, and keep stakeholders engaged. In the interviews below, economic development professionals offer their insights on four topics crucial to effective leadership in a time of crisis:

  1. Managing an EDO (financial stability and other organizational issues)
 

2. Leading People (managing and motivating a team)

3. Board Leadership (keeping board/investor relationships strong)

4.  Adding Value (responding to community needs)