GOVERNANCE

Strategy 2:

Develop a robust regional communication network that communicates information, services, and data to the public, businesses, organizations, and governments.

About The Objectives

Disaster Communications Plan

Information regarding resources that are available is especially critical during a disaster. This was most recently demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disseminating the information may need to be adjusted to meet the current conditions of the ongoing disaster. The region can work together to develop a hierarchy of how information will be shared and who will be sharing the information. Potential challenges and restraints such as losing power during a flood should be identified with resulting solutions developed to address these challenges. Developing the plan prior to the next pandemic or disaster will allow the region to put measures in place to create the capacity in existing agencies for the region to be able to disseminate information quickly and in an organized and coordinated manner.

Planning Awareness Campaign

Although there are areas in the region that are lacking in community planning, much of the region does have ongoing community planning. The IND15RPC regularly creates the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region. This comprehensive planning document seeks to guide the growth of the region through coordinated and strategic economic planning. Planning documents like the CEDS and the various comprehensive plans for communities promote sustainable development of the area while protecting the natural resources of the region. Sometimes rural areas look at these planning efforts less favorably and see them as an intrusion on individual rights. The planning awareness campaign should provide a larger view of the importance of planning in terms of creating more sustainable and vibrant communities which are more resilient to shocks created by disasters.