Adams County Long-Term Recovery & Resiliency Strategic Plan
Adams County Long-Term Recovery & Resiliency Strategic Plan
Adams County is implementing the Long-Term Recovery and Resilience Strategic Plan to strengthen our ability to anticipate, respond to, and recover from disruptions such as natural disasters, health crises, and economic challenges. This work reflects our commitment to building a stronger, more connected, and more resilient future for all who live and work in Adams County.
Overview
Adams County’s Long-Term Recovery and Resiliency Strategic Plan is now in action to help our community better prepare for and recover from challenges like natural disasters, health emergencies, and economic hardships. The plan brings together the County’s current projects, programs, and partnerships into one clear framework, so we can use our resources wisely, improve where needed, and keep essential services running during emergencies.
This plan focuses on making County operations stronger and working closely with local partners—including schools, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations—to create a united approach to recovery. It also includes specific goals and actions across five key areas: using data to guide decisions, improving staffing and systems, spreading awareness through education, building strong community partnerships, and securing long-term funding.
Created with input from residents, local leaders, and experts—and developed in partnership with Synergy Disaster Recovery and the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS)—this plan reflects our shared vision for a safer, stronger, and more connected Adams County.
Why This Framework Matters
The Recovery and Resilience Framework ensures that resilience-building efforts are coordinated, measurable, and integrated across sectors and stakeholders. A strategic, well-structured resilience plan enables the county to:
How We Got Here
Creating the Adams County Long-Term Recovery and Resiliency Strategic Plan was a collaborative effort built on research, community input, and expert guidance. In early 2024, the County partnered with consultants from Synergy Disaster Recovery and the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) to assess existing conditions. These experts reviewed over 35 County plans and documents and analyzed data on community resources, land use, demographics, housing, infrastructure, and social vulnerability. The County's overall resilience scored 54%. Their findings highlighted strengths in strategic planning, along with opportunities to improve social, economic, and government resilience
At the heart of the planning process was the Adams County Resiliency Working Group (ACRWG), made up of staff from County departments and local community-based organizations. This group brought valuable expertise and insight, meeting regularly to review findings, shape priorities, and ensure the plan reflected both operational needs and community perspectives. Members also took part in interviews and discussions that helped highlight local challenges and opportunities. Their guidance, paired with public feedback gathered through workshops and surveys, helped shape a shared vision for a stronger, more resilient Adams County.
Current Project Phase:
Definitions:
Community is defined as a social unit that shares a sense of identity, common experiences, attitudes, interests and/or goals; or shares a place that is situated in a geographical area within Adams County (e.g. district, ward, neighborhood, barrio, etc.).
Community acknowledges that resilience is built collectively -- not just by County government, but through the collaboration of residents, businesses, organizations, and institutions that shape daily life in Adams County.
Resilience means the ability of a community to respond, positively adapt, and thrive amidst risks, changing conditions, and disruptions and to create support systems to build and enhance quality of life, healthy growth, durable systems, economic vitality, and conservation of resources for present and future generations.
Resilience is more than just the ability to withstand a distaster -- it is about strengthening systems, relationships, and resources so that Adams County can recover quickly and emerge stronger.