The Department of Community and Economic Development approved eight projects today through the Municipal Assistance Program to improve local emergency services, assist municipal planning and support community partnerships.

“Municipalities are responsible for providing more services than ever and the costs of providing those services continue to rise,” said DCED Secretary C. Alan Walker.  “MAP funding will provide critical funding for local governments and organizations that are working together and thinking strategically to improve their communities.”

In total, DCED approved $158,800 in MAP funding for eight municipal projects throughout the Commonwealth. The department provides funding to local governments for community planning through MAP.

Funding supports multi-municipal, regional and county planning and implementation efforts across the state. Support is available for three groups of activities shared services, community planning, and floodplain management.

One of the projects selected for the program, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, was awarded a $35,000 MAP grant to help with flood mitigation and revitalization planning in Shikshinny and Hemlock Township. Both communities were impacted by the September flooding in 2011. The municipalities plan to follow as a guide its River Towns Program, addressing flood mitigation and minimization, economic revitalization and best land uses.

Also approved was a grant to the Beaver, Butler and Venango county Municipal Code Association, a joint code and sewage enforcement agency formed by 23 municipalities in three counties, was awarded a $3,000 MAP grant. The association will use the MAP funds to help pay for computer and permitting software upgrades.

1/21/2013