Passaic County seeks consultant to design smart infrastructure plan

By: David M. Zimmer
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Applicants are now being sought to develop a plan that could shape the future of Passaic County.
..... County officials, recently agreed to take bids from contractors for an infrastructure investment plan designed to coordinate policies and projects to maximize returns.
..... Beyond roads and mass transit hubs, the plan is expected to identify infrastructure investments, that can help improve flood resiliency, electricity reliability and broadband Internet access, records show.
..... The budget for the plan is $375,000, and of that, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority is contributing $300,000.
..... One of the goals is to update the county's 2015 comprehensive economic development strategies plan, authority records show. Centered on improving job growth to boost regional competitiveness, that plan came before the demographic, market, and lifestyle shift brought by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
..... The pending infrastructure plan will examine and map the distribution of age, income, education, occupation and industry across Passaic County.
..... Once viewed alongside migration and commuter trends and previously prioritized infrastructure projects, the information will be used to identify five to 10 areas in which to focus infrastructure investment, according to authority records.
..... A mix of urban, suburban and rural projects is likely though the urban core of Passaic County is expected to get considerable attention.
..... Due in Spring 2024, the plan is expected to receive input from focus groups as well as an advisory committee with possible representation from the state Board of Public Utilities, NJ Transit, the Passaic County Workforce Investment Board and others. Also expected are area meetings and virtual outreach.
..... The goal is to connect with local business owners, municipal officials and residents, especially those faced with barriers, such as income, disabilities and limited English proficiency, to identify economic opportunities and quality-of-life threats that could be addressed through coordinate infrastructure investments.

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