$14 Million In Federal Rescue Plan Funding Still To Be Used In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — Norristown is still deliberating on how to spend the remaining millions of dollars of its American Rescue Plan Act funding, and they want the public's help in making the final decisions.

The funds were assigned to localities and counties around the country to help with economic recovery from the pandemic. Norristown has already approved the use of about $5.5 million of their allotment on playgrounds and infrastructure work, but about $14 million remains.

The municipality says they are launching a new website — Citizen Lab — in the near future. This site will offer residents a tool to research projects and submit their ideas. "Be on the lookout," the Norristown shared on social media channels this week.

The goal is to use the funding to "invest in projects now, and ease the burden on the taxpayer later."

Projects approved in August include:

• $1.9 million to fund the first year of the Stormwater Authority.
• Simmons Park basketball courts - $188,000
• Bartash Park playground equipment - $65,000
• McCann Park playground equipment - $65,000
• Latshaw Field lighting upgrade - $75,000
• Sewer system assessment - $85,000

Norristown announced over the summer that they will pay Triad Associates $75,000 to "provide coordination, reporting, consulting and public engagement services" related to spending the money.

The local funds come from the larger $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.