One of our most important roles is helping to build the capacity of communities so that they are more able to equitably engage in urban planning, economic development, and decision making. This includes providing training and technical assistance on tools, data, policies, and procedures related to local governance, environmental regulations, and federal funding. Some examples of our work in this area are provided below.

Gullah Geechee Communities and the Justice40 Initiative

The White House's Justice40 initiative states that 40% of overall benefits from federal climate and clean energy investments should go to disadvantaged communities. We located 145 Gullah Geechee communities in the U.S. Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), which determines eligibility for Justice40. We found that many of these communities are not eligible for Justice40 funding, despite facing historical burdens and ongoing climate threats. Recommendations to remedy this include implementing a Community Appeals Process and improving communication about the tool's limitations between federal agencies.

Report: Assessment of Gullah Geechee Communities in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool, developed in partnership with the Pin Point Betterment Association and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

Zoning Changes on Sapelo Island, GA

We provided planning and policy expertise to descendants of Hogg Hummock and coastal Georgia partners on proposed (and later adopted) changes to the Hog Hammock District of the McInotsh County Zoning Ordinance. The new zoning:

• More than doubled allowed home sizes,

• Allows more impervious surfaces,

• Allows greater density of development, and

• Expands allowed land uses