After a disaster strikes, communities are often faced with a complex and difficult recovery process. The Economic RSF supports states, localities, tribes, and territories’ (SLTT) return to a state of economic health and development of new economic opportunities that result in a sustainable, economically resilient community.
The Economic RSF is one of six RSFs, established under the National Disaster Recovery Framework), to support the recovery efforts of SLTTs before, during and after disasters. The Economic RSF is coordinated by the Economic Development Administration on behalf of the Department of Commerce, and consists of a National Coordinator, staff at EDA Headquarters and EDA’s six regional offices. After certain catastrophic disasters, Economic RSF field coordinators deploy to help SLTTs advance their recovery goals and priorities.
Mission Statement
The Economic RSF integrates the expertise of the federal government to help local, state, and tribal governments and the private sector sustain and/or rebuild businesses and employment and develop economic opportunities that result in sustainable and economically resilient communities after large-scale and catastrophic incidents. NDRF, 2016
Economic RSF Related to Disasters
| Before a Disaster | After a Disaster |
|---|---|
| Partnership Development - Develops federal, state, and non-governmental entity relationships to facilitate idea-sharing, planning, and identification of resources to help local communities with implementation of economic development projects. | Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement - Creates opportunities for representatives of local and state economic/workforce development organizations to meet federal experts and learn about available recovery resources and assistance programs. |
| Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning – Collaborates on data tools, dashboards, and guides to help economic development organizations plan and effectively implement recovery and resilience strategies. Encourages regional economic development districts to develop Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) that consider ways to strengthen resiliency to risks/hazards, including aligning the CEDS with FEMA’s hazard mitigation plan. | Assess Impacts and Develop Recovery Strategies – Works closely with local and regional leadership during disaster recovery to provide technical assistance and data related to economic development. Helps to identify resources to fund recovery, rebuilding and resiliency efforts, which may include support for disaster recovery coordinators and project funding, including access to Disaster Supplemental appropriations where relevant. |
| Preparedness and Mitigation Development – This can include identifying risks and hazards that may impact economic assets and infrastructure, business continuity planning, and developing strategies that strengthen local economies, such as programs that encourage economic diversification. | Workforce Development – Engages the workforce development system, including state vocational rehabilitation programs, to help disaster survivors return to work with the appropriate supports, accommodation, and retraining. This also includes helping disaster impacted places take advantage of new economic opportunities, build a workforce for the future, and promote rebuilding efforts that add value to the local economy. |
Coordinating Agency: U.S.Department of Commerce (DOC)/Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Primary Agencies: U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA);Department of Homeland Security/FEMA; U.S. Department of Labor (DOL); U.S. Department of the Treasury; U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)