The Economic Recovery and Resiliency Act (ERRP), resulted from a Joint Funding Agreement between the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Department for Local Government (DLG). These organizations funded ERRP through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). ERRP attempts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic and assist with the resulting economic injury that occurred due to the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic was addressed in the 2020 update of the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) where it was listed as a threat to the region, and this Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan is supplemental to that update. The CEDS mentioned some of the impacts COVID had on many aspects of life in the region, but this document goes into more detail. This plan also addresses short-term and long-term approaches to rebuild resilient and sustainable communities throughout the GRADD region. Research began in August 2020 and continued through June 2022. This document was written, updated, and revised over that two-year period.