On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law by Pres. Joe Biden. This $1.9 trillion bill provided funding for municipalities as an infusion of resources to meet COVID-19 pandemic response needs and rebuild a stronger, more equitable economy as the country recovers. Norristown will receive $20,140,216 in economic stimulus money through ARPA!
In mid-June 2022, the municipality received the second and final payment of the $20.1 million. Public meetings were held on Aug. 9 and 11 at the Norristown Recreation Center.
So far, council has approved the following funds for projects:
- $1.9 million- Stormwater Authority operations
- $1.2 million- General 2022 budget relief
- $1.156 million-skate park at Poley Park
- $737,500- new fire truck
- $675,000- sewer system evaluation
- $318,000- park equipment improvements (Bartash, McCann, and Simmons).
- $290,000-Vechicles for the police department and Buildings/Code department.
- $133,284-Rapp Alley storm water installation
- $55,000-flood control gates and dam gauge.
Residents are asked to provide input here: https://norristownbuzz.org/en/projects/arpa-norristown
DOCUMENTS: July 2022 ARPA presentation
June 15, 2021 ARPA funds presentation.
Montgomery County ARPA funds
In July 2022, the Montgomery County Recovery Office released the draft funding recommendations for use of $161.4 million in Pandemic Recovery Funds for public comment. The Draft Recovery Plan follows a months-long community engagement process, through which the Recovery Office received 426 project submissions totaling $1.3B in funding requests, and 157 idea submissions. The Draft Recovery Plan includes funding for 110 projects and allocates all funding. The public can provide feedback on the Draft Recovery Plan through July 29, 2022, before a final Plan is presented for approval by the Board of Commissioners on August 18, 2022.
This Draft Recovery Plan supports investment into physical space priorities identified by the Norristown community, including:
- $4.3 million partially funding the renovation of the ACLAMO center at 801 Marshall Street
- $1.75 million partially funding the renovation of the George Washington Carver center, including work to upgrade the Center’s pool facility
- $7 million allocated to acquisition, construction, and / or renovation of a community center facility in Norristown in a site to be determined
You can read a one-sheet about these draft approvals here: Norristown Community Facilities
