IBTS Selects Norristown, PA, as NLC Small Cities Resilience Competition Winner
ASHBURN, VA (PRWEB) March 16, 2018 -- The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce that it has selected the Municipality of Norristown, Pennsylvania, as the winner of the National League of Cities (NLC) Small Cities Resilience Competition. Norristown was chosen from cities with 100,000 residents or less to be a finalist with Germantown, TN, and will now move forward to the second phase of the program, where IBTS will support the city in improving their overall resilience.
The first phase of this effort included pre-assessments; site visits; IBTS Community Resilience Assessment Framework and Tools (CRAFT) workshops; project impact analyses; and a final, actionable report for both of the semi-finalist cities. IBTS CRAFT has been utilized throughout the program to assess and, in turn, strengthen social, economic, and government resilience. This tool is specifically designed to address the needs, challenges, and most pertinent threats faced by small communities.
In phase two, IBTS will develop a set of strategic recommendations to implement one of the promising resilience projects identified during the first phase of the competition. This strategy will consider the city’s social, economic, and government resilience and build upon the community’s existing strengths while addressing known vulnerabilities. Additionally, Norristown will receive financial technical assistance to help the municipality find and secure the funds necessary for project implementation.
“It has been an honor to even be considered for this competition,” said Brandon Ford, Special Assistant to the Municipal Administrator in Norristown, PA, and Executive Director of Keep Norristown Beautiful. “It has truly been an amazing experience so far, and we look forward to working with the IBTS team in the weeks and months to come.”
IBTS anticipates providing Norristown, PA, with their implementation strategy by spring of 2018. At the close of this phase, IBTS and location stakeholders envision a more resilient Norristown better prepared to respond, adapt, and transform in the face of acute crises and chronic stressors.
For more information on the Small Cities Resilience Competition or to learn how IBTS CRAFT can strengthen your community’s resilience, please contact us:
Patrick Howell
Program Manager, Community Resilience Initiative
phowell(at)ibts(dot)org
(703) 481-2000
About IBTS
IBTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping communities through quality services that reduce risk, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia with branch offices across the country. IBTS’s work is guided by a Board of Directors made up of government officials appointed by five of the most highly respected, grassroots, state and local governmental associations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), and National League of Cities (NLC).
Michelle Waddle, Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), http://www.ibts.org, +1 (703) 481-2000 Ext: 115, [email protected]
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