In terms of protection you can forget it. Black men tried the militia route and black feminists got that shut down. But buying up what you can individually get ahold of isn't a bad idea. Chinese are buying up everything they can in that area. They've already got parts of Michigan already and gobbling more. Use the water to ferry resources and goods in/out and etc.. Don't be surprised if they don't create or already have an Business Development Zone in operation already.