Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Mapping

RRP experts collaborated in developing a Method of Distribution (MOD) for the allocation of  $179,547,000 in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Funds (CDBG-MIT) allocated to the region to develop strategic, high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses in areas impacted by recent disasters. The team used key data sets in Mapping Flood Hazards and Vulnerability in the Coastal Bend, which led to more meaningful discussions at the local level on mitigation priorities. 

Regional Partnerships for Wastewater: Guidelines and Principles

In partnership with the Nueces River Authority, RRP is working to ensure water infrastructure priorities such as wastewater treatment, clean drinking water, and watershed restoration contribute to the overall resiliency of our region. Regionalization of wastewater has been shown to solve compliance problems while also creating relationships and opportunities for addressing an array of other issues including drinking water, housing, and regional socio-economic planning. We have created a set of Guidelines and Principles to help guide this work. 

Geospatial Resilient Economic Development (GeoRED)

RRP secured nearly $1.5M to build a geographic information system (GIS) platform, called Geospatial Resilient Economic Development (GeoRED). GIS is a powerful tool for building resilience to disaster and economic risks. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration funded the initial phase of the project, with focus on the needs of Aransas, Bee, Refugio and San Patricio counties. With additional support from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the project now also includes Nueces, Kleberg and Kenedy counties

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

RRP is leading implementation of the Coastal Bend Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. Housed within CBCOG and overseen by the CEDS Committee, this revised version was expanded to build capacity and economic resilience in the Coastal Bend.

RRP Training Program

Earl C. Sams Foundation supported RRP to implement a training program for local officials and stakeholders in the Coastal Bend. Participants networked with experts around Texas and the nation to discuss methods for building community resilience and capacity, and worked with local partners to create data-informed funding and action strategies. The RRP team is now working to build on and expand the training program. 

Supporting Resilient Decision Making

From the local to regional level, RRP continues to support resilient decision-making across the Coastal Bend and Texas. A key element of this is working with decision-makers and community agents to identify priority needs. RRP conducted such an exercise in 2019 in response to a GLO survey to identify local priorities in building the state Mitigation Action Plan. RRP reviewed local Hazard Mitigation Plans to identify priorities that aligned with GLO issue areas. Data sets such as these are important to document and build upon as funding becomes available to address local mitigation needs. The final analysis may be accessed here: Coastal Bend Priority Mitigation Actions and/or Studies – June 28, 2019