Corbett Administration Approves Funding To Support Community Planning And Shared Services

Harrisburg, PA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) approved 11 projects today through the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to improve local emergency services and assist municipal planning which will promote community development.

"MAP funding promotes local government's ability to plan and implement services and improvements that respond to their community's specific needs," said DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker. "By putting an emphasis on intergovernmental approaches, we are supporting community initiatives that reduce costs and improve efficiencies."

DCED, which provides funding to local governments for community planning through MAP, approved $481,635 in funding for 11 municipal projects throughout the state. Funding supports multi-municipal, regional, and county planning and implementation efforts. Support is available for three groups of activities: shared services, community planning, and floodplain management.

One of the projects selected for the program; Steel Valley, Turtle Creek Valley, and Twin Rivers Council of Governments in Allegheny County, received $75,000 in MAP funds to assist with the establishment of a multi-municipal land bank involving 41 municipalities and three Councils of Governments. A pilot project will be conducted in seven municipalities to develop a training model. MAP funds will also help develop an online interactive information source on the Fight Blight program.

The Governor's Center for Local Government Services (GCLGS), housed within DCED, aided with the project selections and oversees the MAP program. The Center provides technical resources and assistance for municipalities, consolidation, regional efforts as well as serving as a resource for local government officials, developers, and citizens interested in planning to improve, grow, and enhance communities.

To learn more about MAP and other DCED programs, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

Allegheny County
Robinson Township received $60,000 in MAP funds to prepare a comprehensive plan and updated zoning ordinance to help review redevelopment options. The plan will help implement new community development objectives.

Beaver County
The newly created volunteer fire-rescue organization, Rochester Area Fire-Rescue received $3,000 in MAP funds to pay for costs associated with the merger.

Butler County
Butler County received $14,000 in MAP funds to pay for the preparation of an updated comprehensive plan that include guidelines for county assistance to municipalities on land use issues. In addition, the plan will also address opportunities and impacts of natural gas development.

The newly formed Evans City Seven Fields Regional Police Department received $4,760 in MAP funds to pay for start-up costs of merging two police departments.

Lackawanna County
The Dickson City Borough received $20,000 in MAP funds to implement a downtown revitalization plan for a four-block area along Main Street and Boulevard Avenue. The plan will include a detailed market study, community vision for the downtown and step-by-step action plan.

Lebanon County
Myerstown Borough and Lebanon County, in partnership with the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation received $103,475 in MAP funds to create a shared economic development position that will address business retention, expansion, recruitment, building local capacity and downtown revitalization.

Lehigh County
The Southwestern Lehigh area, consisting of the boroughs of Alburtis, Emmaus and Macungie and townships of Lower Macungie, Upper Milford and Lower Milford, received $90,000 in MAP funds to update its multi-municipal comprehensive plan. The updated plan will focus on transportation, infrastructure, jobs-housing balance and urban/suburban/rural balance, as well as implementation via development design guidance and improved regional zoning options.

Northampton County
Slate Belt Regional Police Department received $50,000 in MAP funds to pay for start-up costs of the newly-formed regional department involving Plainfield Township, Pen Argyl Borough, and Wind Gap Borough.

Susquehanna County
New Milford Borough received $23,900 in MAP funds to update its comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance.

Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County in conjunction with New Stanton Borough received $37,500 to prepare an updated borough comprehensive plan to help manage land use changes, new economic development, shifts in traffic patterns, and infrastructure needs that will arise from the planned relocation of the I-70 interchange in the borough.