Kerr-Tar Regional Resilience Portfolio
Kerr-Tar
The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments region includes Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties.
The Kerr-Tar 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 Kerr-Tar COG offered project guidance, the NC Rural Center hired a local leader to provide facilitation support and Kleinfelder Inc. provided technical assistance.
Stay Informed
The Duke Energy Foundation awarded Accelerator Grant Program funding to support the following resilience project identified in the Kerr-Tar region's Resilience Project Portfolio:
Regional Building Inventory Development and Analysis Sub-Project
- Applicant: City of Roxboro, NC
- Amount: $65,000
- Project Summary: The City of Roxboro will coordinate a commercial and industrial building inventory for the Kerr-Tar region, including Person, Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren Counties. The City will hire consultants to conduct an initial analysis of the inventoried buildings to understand how they may be impacted by multiple climate hazards, such as building damage or inaccessibility due to extreme heat, drought, flooding, heavy rainfall, high winds and tornadoes. The consultants will also identify physical and operational improvements that can reduce risk and increase preparedness. The Kerr-Tar Region will use the inventory and analysis to develop incentives and opportunities to increase the resilience of these structures, thereby improving the overall economic vitality of the region.
Review the Climate Resilience Portfolio
The Climate Resilience Projects Portfolio for the Kerr-Tar 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 Kerr-Tar 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: Kerr-Tar Regional Resilience Portfolio Project
Sept. 20, 2022: 3–4:30 p.m. and 6:30–8 p.m.
Workshop attendees had a chance to learn more about the Kerr-Tar Regional Resilience Portfolio Project and give feedback on potential regional projects and strategies to build future community resilience in Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties. Five to 10 prioritized strategies or projects will be included in the final 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 28, 2022: 10:30 a.m.–noon and 6–7:30 p.m.
During this workshop, community members and stakeholders learned about the Kerr-Tar Regional Resilience Portfolio Project, and participated in group discussions about community challenges related to climate impacts and resilience.
If you would like to receive occasional news about the project, please subscribe to email updates.
To stay on top of the project, provide feedback on past meeting topics and comment on the draft Vulnerability Assessment, visit the RISE Kerr-Tar StoryMap. This online engagement tool will be updated regularly with additional information.
For more information about the state's RISE initiative in the Kerr-Tar COG region, contact NCORR Resilient Communities Program Manager Brian Byfield.
Project Overview
Step 1. Vulnerability Assessment
The first phase of the project was the development of a vulnerability assessment. This analysis brought 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: