East Central Florida RPC’s Approach to Regional Resiliency
The East Central Florida RPC was awarded a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to develop a Regional Resiliency Action Plan. Working with Brevard and Volusia Counties, a steering committee was formed comprised of federal, state, regional and local agencies and communities. This committee began meeting regularly in October of 2017 to develop goals and a direction for the plan and process. The process is also guided by two subcommittees: Sea Level Rise and Stakeholder Engagement. The steering committee, along with each subcommittee, are helping to define language, assess a regional approach to sea level rise planning and advance the action plan.
Thanks to their efforts, the Regional Resiliency Action Plan has progressed greatly beginning with the development of a “Plan and Policy Resiliency Integration” survey. The survey, which aimed to provide insight into the progress of integrating resiliency into various local and regional plans and policies, was completed by local and regional agencies. Survey results identified gaps, needs and actionable items aimed at supporting resilient and sustainable coastal communities in the region. Additional activities include research focused on determining implementation activities for local jurisdictions, regional and state agencies, as well as private and federal partners such as Canaveral Port Authority, Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Air Force Base. Applicable grants available to local agencies and jurisdictions for implementation activities are being researched and will be included in the Action Plan.
Elevate Northeast Florida
The Northeast Florida Regional Council, JAXUSA, and CareerSource Northeast Florida have formed a partnership to develop a new economic development strategy for the region. With major funding from the Economic Development Administration, “Elevate Northeast Florida” kicked off in late February. Goals for Elevate Northeast Florida include economic growth, talent development, brand recognition and global competitiveness. Elevate Northeast Florida is expected to be unveiled in the Fall. For more information and to take a survey to help shape the Elevate strategy please visit www.elevatenefl.com or contact Brian Teeple at bteeple@nefrc.org.Southwest Florida RPC Receives
Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant
The Southwest Florida RPC was awarded an EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment Grant for $600,000 (50% petroleum, 50% hazardous substances). The grant covers the Southwest Florida Promise Zone area of Glades County, Hendry County, and the community of Immokalee in Collier County and will fund an expanded community driven inventory of brownfields sites as well as a Generic Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), 40 ASTM-AAI compliant Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, 14 Phase II ESAs (with site-specific QAPPs), and up to eight Remedial Action Plans. The primary focus of the brownfields assessment proposal is to eliminate the threat of contamination and improve the quality of life in the low income, high unemployment communities of Glades and Hendry counties and Immokalee, keeping environmental justice as a key focus.
The Immokalee Airport is one of the priority Brownfield sites identified in the grant application.
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