With 239 municipalities along a vast coastal zone, accommodating 7 million year-round residents and a significant summer population, Southern New Jersey faces heightened risks from sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Chronic flooding projections highlight the urgency, affecting 11,000 homes by 2050 and 62,000 homes by 2100, with substantial economic repercussions. The rapid pace of development in flood-prone areas exacerbates these risks, underscoring the need for proactive adaptation strategies. From 2010 to 2017, 4,500 new homes (worth $4.61bn) were built in coastal risk areas, which is 3x the rate of new homes built in safe zones. Policy does not sufficiently intervene in the market economics of cheap flood-prone land that will continue to endanger the state’s most vulnerable populations’ safety and security.
Flood-adaptive reindustrialization is an economic development strategy to revitalize the most vulnerable coastal areas. Historically, industrialization has developed along water channels for easy sea transport. Today, there are thousands of vacant structures built for warehousing and manufacturing but are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. Green economy revitalization is a way to transform these vulnerable areas into resilient hubs of sustainable industry. By repurposing vacant structures for renewable energy production, such as solar panel manufacturing or wind turbine assembly, Southern New Jersey, and in particular Salem County, can not only mitigate flood risks but also foster job creation and economic growth. Furthermore, investing in green infrastructure, like those described in the Marsh Migration and Landscape Practices section, not only enhances flood protection but also provides valuable ecosystem services and recreational opportunities. By leveraging state and federal adaptation measures with economic development strategies, policymakers and local communities can ensure a more resilient and prosperous future for all, near and far.