Strengthening Rural Resilience: A Shared Perspective

KCF and Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) were recently featured by Resource Rural in a statewide project supported by the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity, highlighting how rural communities prepare for and recover from major disasters. The story explores the ongoing work in our region following the 2018 Father’s Day Flood, with both organizations sharing insight into what effective rural resilience really requires.

In the article and video, KCF and WUPPDR discuss the realities of disaster response in the Western U.P., the importance of strong regional partnerships, and how long-term planning and cross-county collaboration have strengthened emergency operations across our communities. Their shared perspective underscores that rural resilience is not just about responding to emergencies; it’s about building the systems, relationships, and capacity that help communities bounce back stronger.