The economic effects of flooding from extreme precipitation events are being experienced throughout the Great Lakes region. According to the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments, "the frequency and intensity of severe storms has increased, and current models suggest that this trend will continue as the effects of climate change become more pronounced. More severe storms may have a negative economic impact due to resulting damages and increased costs of preparation, clean up, and business disruption." The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has estimated that nearly 40 percent of small businesses never re-open following a flooding disaster.

The purpose of this study was to assess the economic benefits of green infrastructure (GI) as a method of reducing the negative effects of flooding in Duluth, Minnesota, and Toledo, Ohio. A secondary purpose of the study was to develop an analytical framework that can be applied in other communities to 1) consider and estimate predicted changes in future precipitation, 2) assess how their community may be impacted by flooding with increased precipitation, 3) consider the range of available green infrastructure and land use policy options to reduce flooding, and 4) identify the benefits (as well as co-benefits) that can be realized by implementing GI.