Regional Resilience

Resilient communities and regions are those that are able toanticipate their vulnerability to natural, economic, and otherpotential threats. They take action to limit their exposure tothese threats, and they have plans, processes, and resources inplace to help them recover quickly should disaster strike. Atthe core of resilience is the willingness and ability to adaptto change to ensure positive outcomes for all residents andbusinesses.

The fact that disasters rarely remain within jurisdictionalboundaries underscores the importance of well-developedrelationships between local, regional, state, and nationalagencies and organizations to ensure resources and expertiseare readily available when needed. 

But pursuing resilience is not a function or responsibility of just the government, but rather every part of the community – businesses, residents, non-profits, educational institutions, and others. Economic resilience relies both on the ability of businesses to keep on   functioning after a disaster and about building long-termregional competitiveness that does not depend upon a narrowrange of industries or sectors. Ensuring that all parts ofthe community are taken care of before, during, and after adisaster requires intentional and coordinated efforts by public,private, nonprofit, and voluntary actors.

Read

Kathleen K. Miller, Angela Johnson, & Brian Dabson (2016). Measuring Resilience and Vulnerability in U.S. Counties.  University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy Working Paper 07. 
Brian Dabson (2015). Planning for  More Resilient Future: A Guide to Regional Approaches. NADO Research Foundation
Brian Dabson with Colleen M. Heflin and Kathleen K. Miller (2012). Regional Resilience: Research and Policy Brief. RUPRI Rural Futures Lab.