Norristown Planning Use Of $20 Million In Economic Stimulus Money

NORRISTOWN, PA — Norristown has received $20 million in economic stimulus money from the federal government to assist in its recovery from the pandemic, and now the municipality is taking its first steps in figuring out exactly where that money should go.

During a municipal council meeting this week, officials approved a resolution to hire a consultancy firm to help them administer the funds.

Norristown will pay Triad Associates $75,000 to "provide coordination, reporting, consulting and public engagement services" related to spending the money, which comes from the larger $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Specifically, Norristown is looking at using the funds for "meaningful projects and infrastructure improvements to support community sustainability." Triad will help gain community feedback on how to spend the funds.

It's similar to a process being implemented by Montgomery County, which launched a new arm of government, the Economic Recovery Office, to oversee the county's $161 million in APRA funds.

Norristown said that public meetings will be held to gain input from residents. Then, a list of potential projects will be submitted to municipal council for approval.

The community input sessions will likely being this summer, officials said during this week's meeting.