The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has announced the allocation of nearly $6 million in grants to 32 communities under the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). The initiative aims to enhance resilience against hazardous weather events. The funding includes $1.9 million for technical assistance in risk assessment and resilience planning, as well as more than $4 million for engineering, design, construction, and implementation.
“Increasingly catastrophic storms like Helene and Chantal underscore how important it is for communities to take concrete steps to strengthen their resilience to hazardous weather events,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “These grants provide technical assistance and resources so that community leaders can identify the most important actions they can take to safeguard their residents, their infrastructure, and their economies.”
The program’s Phases 1 and 2 focus on community engagement, risk assessment, planning, project selection, and prioritization. Several counties and municipalities have been selected for these phases with varying grant amounts.
In Phases 3 and 4, five counties and eight municipalities will receive funds totaling nearly $3 million for engineering and design projects that incorporate natural elements such as wetland restoration. Additionally, three municipalities will receive over $1.2 million for construction projects aimed at stormwater management and flood mitigation.
The RCCP supports local governments in developing strategies to reduce hazards like flooding through a sustainable approach. Since its inception, the program has awarded approximately $16 million through 108 grants across 56 coastal communities.
For further details about the awarded projects or more information on the Resilient Coastal Communities Program, interested parties are encouraged to visit the DCM website.
