How can you build capacity for economic recovery?  It starts with a sound planning process to engage key stakeholders to assess your community’s strengths and vulnerabilities.  Developing and updating a recovery plan helps a community mitigate risks and speed recovery after economic disruptions.

ICMA and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) have developed a new training course in partnership with FEMA: “Planning for Economic Recovery.” Filled with examples of successful economic recovery strategies, this interactive webinar offers opportunities for small-group discussions and peer learning.

Among the many strategies covered in the free, 4-hour course are:

• Engaging small businesses in pre-disaster planning and preparedness.
• Utilizing financial tools and resources for mitigation and recovery.
• Updating your economic recovery plan.

Upon registering, you will receive a participant guide and a pre-course assessment. A certificate and a takeaway with more case examples and current resources will be provided upon course completion.

The course is designed for high-level local government administrators and economic development professionals, including city and county managers; planning, public health, public works, and emergency managers; chamber of commerce executives; and leaders from economic development districts, regional planning organizations, redevelopment authorities, downtown organizations, and councils of governments.  

Presentation Team:

• Elizabeth Kellar, Director of Public Policy and Disaster Recovery Programs, ICMA
• Dana Crater, Senior Associate, Economic Development, IEDC
• Mickie Valente, President, Valente Strategic Advisors
• Tom Wieczorek, Principal, Center for Public Safety Management, CPSM

The course materials can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Course Schedule (dates and times subject to change): 

• May 20, 2021 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST
• June 17, 2021 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST
• July 15, 2021 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST
• Sept. 23, 2021 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST (Register Here)
• Oct. 3, 2021 - 12:15pm PST - Available on demand @ ICMA Conference
• Oct. 28, 2021 - 11:30pm-3:30pm EST (Register Here)
• Dec. 2, 2021 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST
• Jan. 13, 2022 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST
• March 2, 2022 - 1:00pm-5:00pm EST

If you do not have a FEMA SID, please complete this form before registering for this course: (cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/register)