The Franklin 98 Living Shoreline Project, initiated in 2019, demonstrates how nature-based solutions can address both environmental and economic challenges. Managed by the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC), this project protects U.S. Highway 98—a critical coastal thoroughfare in Franklin County that often faces erosion and storm damage—while creating new economic opportunities. Funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, the project is one of the largest living shoreline initiatives in Florida.

A living shoreline is a nature-based approach to preventing coastal erosion, using natural materials—such as plants, sand, and locally sourced dolomite limestone—to stabilize the shoreline, trap sediment, and create habitats for marine life. Unlike hard infrastructure like seawalls, living shorelines absorb wave energy and allow marshland to form, which further traps sediment and protects the coast. The Franklin 98 Living Shoreline exemplifies this method, using state-of-the-art modeling to strategically place the shoreline 25 feet from deep sea vegetation.

The Franklin 98 project’s name reflects its location along U.S. Highway 98, a major evacuation route in Franklin County that is frequently washed-out during storms. The project’s goals were twofold:

1. Shoreline Protection: The living shoreline was carefully designed to blunt wave energy, encourage marsh formation, and create artificial reefs using locally sourced dolomite limestone. These artificial reefs serve as a buffer against daily erosion and offer habitats for species like oysters and crabs. Additionally, seagrass plantings help form the marsh, mimicking natural processes that build up the beach over time. This method not only protects U.S. Highway 98 but also stabilizes sediments and provides valuable ecosystems.
2. Economic Resilience: The project prioritized the use of local contractors and suppliers, ensuring that the economic benefits remained within Franklin County. Over 30 families of displaced oyster workers were employed through the project, providing much-needed job opportunities after the collapse of the Apalachicola Bay fishery and the 2020 wild harvest moratorium. By supporting local jobs and businesses, the project boosted the region’s economy while laying the groundwork for future restoration efforts.

One of the most significant impacts of the Franklin 98 project is its role in invigorating the local economy. The use of local contractors and suppliers not only kept investment within the county but also turned many workers into unofficial champions for the project. Keeping all parts of the project local also helped to foster a sense of community ownership over the project. This grassroots effort helped to build trust within the community and helped spread awareness of the project’s benefits and create project buy-in at all levels.

In addition to the immediate job creation, the project formed a key partnership with Franklin Promise Coalition’s Oyster Corps Program, which trains at-risk youth in environmental stewardship. This collaboration led to the establishment of a local nursery that now supplies seagrass for the Franklin 98 project and other regional restoration efforts. This capacity-building ensures that Franklin County will continue to be a hub for ecological restoration and job creation for years to come.

A cornerstone of the Franklin 98 Living Shoreline Project’s success was its consistent community engagement. Participation in the project was entirely voluntary, and the team worked closely with local property owners, county commissioners, and community organizations to build trust. As residents saw the benefits—reduced erosion and improved fishing conditions—more property owners expressed interest in expanding the shoreline to protect their own properties.

The Franklin 98 Living Shoreline Project offers several important lessons for other Economic Development Districts (EDDs) looking to integrate environmental restoration with economic development:

1. Leverage Local Resources: By sourcing materials and labor locally, the project maximized its economic impact, ensuring that job creation and financial benefits remained within the community.
2. Build Capacity for Long-Term Resilience: Collaborations like the one with Franklin Promise Coalition’s Oyster Corps Program create lasting capacity for future ecological and economic initiatives. The local nursery established through this partnership continues to provide plants for regional projects, supporting ongoing job creation and restoration work.
3. Foster Community Trust Through Engagement: Consistent and transparent community engagement is critical to the success of voluntary projects. By building trust and demonstrating clear benefits, the project secured long-term community support and laid the foundation for future expansion.

The Franklin 98 Living Shoreline Project is a prime example of how nature-based solutions can drive both environmental restoration and economic development. By protecting critical infrastructure like U.S. Highway 98, creating jobs, and building long-term resilience, the project serves as a replicable model for other EDDs seeking to combine ecological restoration with sustainable economic growth.