Multiple Halff Projects Received NEFRC Regional Awards for Excellence

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two Halff projects were recognized by the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) with Regional Awards for Excellence. The Fernandina Beach Flood Adaptation Plan was selected in the resilience category for its quality, innovation and community impact, while the Nassau County Vision Plan was awarded in the planning and growth management category.

The NEFRC Regional Awards for Excellence recognize the people, projects and partnerships that shape and strengthen Northeast Florida.

Resilience Market Leader Sean Lahav and Senior Resilience Planner Patrick Doty were honored alongside the City of Fernandina Beach, Florida, for Halff’s role in developing the City’s Flood Adaptation Plan. The award was presented at the Northeast Florida Annual Elected Officials Luncheon.

The Fernandina Beach Adaptation Plan addresses the challenges of tidal flooding, storm surges, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels facing Fernandina Beach, Florida. The plan was developed with input from the community, stakeholders and local leaders, making sure the plan aligned with local needs, state and national guidelines and existing frameworks, such as the 2024 Vulnerability Assessment. Halff led this effort, using its expertise in climate resilience planning, community engagement and GIS analysis, creating a comprehensive, practical plan that strengthens the city’s resilience to flooding while supporting long-term growth and local priorities.

The Nassau County Vision Plan was selected in the planning and growth management category. This project involved the preparation of a vision plan for Nassau County, Florida. The vision plan will provide guidance for the future direction of growth and governance within Nassau County. This planning process and the resulting policies will be critical for the ability to promote and manage growth, as well as protect and enhance key areas of importance while accommodating future trends. This included identifying what makes the community unique, establishing the vision of what Nassau County desires to become in the future and providing the necessary baseline for an update to the County’s comprehensive plan.

About the Firm

Halff is an award-winning, employee-owned full-service infrastructure consulting firm with more than 75 years of expertise. Established in 1950 by Dr. Albert H. Halff, the firm continues to advance his vision of creating resilient communities through thoughtful design and technical excellence.

Today, Halff operates from more than 30 offices across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Our firm works together to provide comprehensive services from our Mobility, Places and Communities, and Water and Environment solutions. Our professionals remain committed to delivering smart solutions that improve lives and communities by turning ideas into reality.

Since 2021, the firm has earned more than 100 project awards and continues to rank as an Engineering News-Record Top 100 Design Firm and a USA TODAY National Top Workplace. Halff supports communities across its footprint through the Halff Community Initiative (HCI), having contributed more than $1 million to nonprofits and thousands of employee volunteer hours since its inception in 2017.