Resiliency ranks high in the list of top priority objectives for the Regional Center. The Background Report discusses resiliency to enhance municipal and county coordination in pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster response. The Background Report also encourages business continuity planning. Key recommendations include encouraging the three Regional Center towns to prepare contingency plans for major incidents or disasters and coordinating with Somerset County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The multi-jurisdictional coordination efforts demonstrate that the Regional Center is more prepared and capable of “bouncing back” from a disaster and reinforcing the message to the business community that the Regional Center is a better place to invest.

Taking steps to fortify the region’s economic resiliency can include efforts to diversify and strengthen the local and regional economy which in turn can increase the region’s ability to remain resilient against changing economic trends. Instead of responding to economic downtowns or sudden disasters, Regional Center communities need to embrace the Regional Center’s assets and opportunities to provide the level of economic and community soundness against global issues affecting the New York and Northern New Jersey economy; e.g., the loss of a trans-Hudson tunnel into Manhattan and its impact on Regional Center commuting patterns.

The Background Report discusses some key elements that are fundamental to a healthy and robust economy. Some of these include an adequate transportation system for the efficient movement of goods and people, and a supply of workforce housing in a variety of price ranges demonstrating to major employers that the Regional Center has the ability to accommodate and attract a diverse workforce for business retention purposes.

Resiliency also requires ensuring there is adequate capacity in the region’s infrastructure system for water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, power and energy, and a circulation system that can accommodate transportation needs not only during a robust economy but also in the wake of a disaster or major disruption in service. The Background Report describes some major infrastructure projects contributing to the overall sustainability of the Regional Center. Examples include replenishing groundwater reserves, resolving wastewater collection issues, and improving traffic congestion and safety along major highway corridors such as Route 22 at Chimney Rock Road. Integrating into municipal master plans sustainability measures such as planning for electric vehicle charging station installations will help with sustainability with respect to energy supply, flood-prone areas, and environmental infrastructure.