Cape Fear Regional Resilience Portfolio
Cape Fear
The Cape Fear Council of Governments region includes Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties.
The Cape Fear Council of Governments worked with NCORR’s RISE Program to develop a portfolio of priority projects that strengthen regional resilience. This multi-phase effort included a forward-looking vulnerability assessment, the identification of five to 10 high-priority projects and a list of the actions needed to implement each proposed project. A diverse stakeholder partnership guided the project to ensure that the scope of work reflected local priorities. The Cape Fear COG offered project guidance, the NC Rural Center hired a local leader to provide facilitation support and Tetra Tech provided technical assistance.
Stay Informed
The Duke Energy Foundation awarded Accelerator Grant Program funding to support the following resilience project identified in the Cape Fear region's Resilience Project Portfolio:
Community-Government Resilience Collaboration Center
- Applicant: Men and Women United for Youth and Families (MWUYF)
- Amount: $65,000
- Project Summary: Men and Women United for Youth & Families will use its expertise in establishing an existing Community Resiliency Hub to continue providing disaster mitigation and recovery assistance to historically underserved communities. The organization will expand communication and resource distribution efforts to lower-resourced, disadvantaged and BIPOC communities throughout southeast North Carolina before, during and after natural disasters. Their existing Resiliency Hub is a resource for residents to access information, supplies, food, water and training regardless of race or economic status. It is a location where residents feel safe to access programs.
Review the Climate Resilience Portfolio
The Regional Resilience Project Portfolio for the Cape Fear Region identifies priority projects and strategies that reduce the risks associated with extreme weather events and enhance regional resilience. The portfolio aims to produce shovel-ready actions with detailed implementation steps, including estimated costs, potential implementing partners, likely project completion challenges and more.
Review the Vulnerability Assessment
The Climate Change and Natural Hazards Vulnerability Assessment for the Cape Fear Region is a report describing past problems and future risks associated with extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding, extreme temperatures, droughts and wildfires. The report outlines the impacts of these climate hazards on housing, the environment and the economy.
Public Workshop #2: Cape Fear Regional Resilience Portfolio Project
Sept. 13, 2022: 10–11 a.m. and 6–7 p.m.
Workshop attendees had a chance to give feedback on potential regional projects and strategies to build future community resilience in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties. Five to 10 prioritized strategies or projects will be included in the final Cape Fear Regional Resilience Portfolio, which will identify specific ways to help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters and climate hazards.
Public Workshop #1: Understanding Vulnerability from the Local Perspective
April 7, 2022: 10–11 a.m. and 6–7 p.m.
During this workshop, community stakeholders learned about the Cape Fear Regional Resilience Portfolio Project and provided feedback on regional response and recovery strengths and weaknesses. Participants also had a chance to share personal experiences with disaster preparedness and recovery, and engage in small group discussions about climate hazards.
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For more information about the state's RISE initiative in the Cape Fear COG region, contact NCORR Chief Resilience Officer Amanda Martin.
Project Overview
Step 1. Vulnerability Assessment
The first phase of the project is the development of a vulnerability assessment. This analysis brings together science and local knowledge to paint a picture of hazards in the region and how they may change in the future.
Step 2. Propose and Prioritize Projects
The second phase of the project was the development of a portfolio of several projects that have regional benefits for resilience. Proposed projects could include construction projects, nature-based solutions, outreach and capacity-building activities, or planning and policy developments. The regional benefit could come in many forms, such as reducing downstream flooding, offering a resource to multiple local governments, or crafting a pilot project with replicability in other places.
A critical component of developing the portfolio was finding achievable paths to implementation, including funding sources and capacity considerations. The region had the opportunity to select a project for seed funding from the Duke Energy Resilience Accelerator Grant Program.
Resource Documents
The RISE effort builds on analysis and planning conducted over the last several years. These resources include: