In 2021, IEDC received a grant from the Economic Development Administration entitled Recovery and Resilience Strategies for Pandemics: What We’ve Learned from Covid-19. Through this grant, IEDC set out to understand two main priorities: 1) how communities can best respond and adapt to pandemics as conditions and impacts change; and  2) how communities can incorporate preparedness and mitigation for a pandemic that could recur seasonally or occur due to a different disease. IEDC’s research was augmented by a series of three informational interviews held over the course of one year, with the eight organizations listed below.

• Albemarle Commission, North Carolina
• Bent County Community Foundation, Colorado
• Develop Indy, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Louisiana
• City of Martinsburg, West Virginia
• Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation, Texas
• Downtown Stockton Alliance, CA
• Tri-County Economic Development District

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Topics: COVID-19, Resilience,. Disaster Recovery

June 2, 2022

IEDC Whitepaper: What We've Learned From Covid-19

IEDC’s new white paper, What We’ve Learned from Covid-19, is the culmination of an 18-month research project tracking the pandemic responses of eight communities. In addition to an analysis of the communities, and a profile of each, the paper includes the nine best and most promising practices that economic development organizations can implement to become more resilient, especially to pandemics.

IEDC held a webinar on June 2, 2022 introducing the whitepaper and its pandemic recovery research featuring IEDC president and CEO Nathan Ohle. Learn more about the webinar and download the recording on RestoreYourEconomy's events page by clicking here.

The communities applied to participate in this study, which was advertised through IEDC’s marketing channels. IEDC based the selection of communities on a variety of factors including geography, demographics, and pandemic impacts. The chosen communities were matched with an IEDC member volunteer to provide technical assistance. Additionally, communities received resilience recommendations that can be integrated into their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS).

Three interviews were held with each community, in February 2021, August 2021, and February 2022. IEDC staff members completed the interviews, which asked 40-45 questions during each session. In the first interview, a set of five introductory questions were asked, which were excluded from further interviews.

Data was collected by IEDC staff via a spreadsheet, so longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis could be completed. The collected data was supplemented by national and local data sourced from federal sources, including sources such as the Center for Disease Control, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and The National Economic Resilience Data Explorer. The full whitepaper can be found on IEDC’s website or you can download it by clicking here.

These recommendations have been developed through the analysis of common challenges and recovery strategies shared in interviews with the eight organizations participating in the Covid-19 research. These challenges align with national trends and highlight the unique nature of responding to a pandemic. It should be noted that we assigned the most salient recommendation to each chapter topic, but in many cases, the recommendation applies to other chapter topics as well.

1) Collaboration via Networks

The pandemic revealed the need to strengthen and build networks among public, private, non-profit, and institutional partners. Potential new partners would include public health authorities and organizations with extensive reach into disadvantaged communities.

2) Funding and Financing with a Goal of Equity

Providing bridge financing is a pivotal role for an EDO in a post-disaster environment. Covid-19 catalyzed the need for immediate financing at a scale not seen since the Great Recession. Many businesses could not open for protracted periods of time and faced high failure rates, especially those owned by people of color.

3) Accessing Up-to-Date Information

With conditions shifting rapidly as the Covid-19 pandemic evolved, decision-makers were challenged to understand how their communities were being impacted. Qualitative and quantitative data allow communities to show the amount of damage and are useful when applying for grants and federal resources. This information also helps communities understand how their economies, populations, and industries change.

4) Science-based Communication Leadership

EDOs often speak on behalf of the business community while also serving as a conduit from the public sector to the business community, especially in the case of disaster. During the pandemic, providing science-based communication to businesses to combat rumors and misinformation became an important role for EDOs.

5) Technical Assistance to Access and Understand Federal Resources

In the wake of any disaster, EDOs often work with businesses to apply for federal assistance or refer them to other organizations, such as the local Small Business Development Center. The federal government response to the pandemic was robust, and many EDOs found themselves in the role of coaching businesses through the process of applying for assistance, especially as new programs were initiated at the state and federal levels.

6) Reconfiguring Goals in Light of Changing Circumstances

The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted community leaders to revisit strategic planning with a different understanding of the needs of their community. New issues will have emerged based on the massive changes in a post-pandemic society. Communities will need to examine previous policies and practices around housing, land use, infrastructure, workforce, and targeted industries.

7) Redesigning for a Changed Society

Covid-19 laid bare the challenge of inadequate broadband access when millions of workers and students shifted from offices and schools to working from home. In addition, as manufacturing, supply chain, and consumption trends shift, new systems will be needed to meet manufacturing and shipping requirements. Economic developers can be leaders in this initiative by convening stakeholders, gathering data, engaging in strategic planning, helping evaluate solutions, and helping to secure financing.^[1]

8) Ensuring Equitable Redevelopment of Downtown and Neighborhood Commercial Corridors

Downtowns and commercial districts have the opportunity to rebuild in a way that increases diversification of businesses and populations, thereby increasing resilience, and rebuilding the tax base. This can take several forms, such as EDOs assisting small businesses into moving into the downtowns or commercial areas via incubator programs and access to capital.

9) Capturing Opportunities and Executing Pivots

Because a disaster will impact some industries more than others, a diversified economic base helps to distribute risk more evenly. The Covid-19 pandemic was no exception; as the economy changed, EDOs shifted strategies to help firms adapt their business models and support emerging industries.

[1] Getting Connected: How Economic Developers are Expanding Broadband Access, IEDC, 2021.

EDA: Research and National Technical Assistance (RNTA) Projects

According to the EDA website, the RNTA program funds research, evaluation, and national technical assistance projects that promote competitiveness and innovation in distressed rural and urban regions throughout the United States and its territories. Click on the heading above to view a page devoted to RNTA’s current projects, many of which address Covid-19.

Local Government Solutions for COVID-19 and Beyond: Grants Management Capacity

FEMA released three "Local Government Solutions Guides for COVID-19 and Beyond." The intention of these guides is to provide background on the various solutions communities are pursuing to provide local government services in the face of COVID-19 related budget shortfalls and public health considerations. The guides cover the topics of adaptive design, grants management capacity, and alternative public service solutions. Click on the the links below to download each guide individually:

• Adaptive Design Local Solutions
• Grants Management
• Alternative Public Service Solutions

SBA Covid-19 Recovery Information in Other Languages

Resources provided in various languages to assist businesses affected by Covid-19 can be accessed by clicking the above heading.

EDA: Economic Resilience

This website details the principles of economic resilience and how the federal government views resilience as a quality of importance for communities throughout the country.

Getting Connected: How Economic Developers are Expanding Broadband Access (IEDC)

This website details the principles of economic resilience and how the federal government views resilience as a quality of importance for communities throughout the country.

Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet

This resource published by Pew Research details an overview of the internet capabilities and basic facts of access throughout the United States.

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics hosts the government’s data on the economic health of the country as well as many other interesting materials.