Last month, COSTARS provided a notice of award to participants in the 2026-2027 salt contract. With the notice, COSTARS notified participants of several changes to the new salt contract that townships should note for planning and budgeting purposes.
Homelessness Prevention Grants Accepting Applications Until August 10
The Emergency Solutions Grant is a federally funded grant providing funding to assist with the rapid rehousing of homeless persons, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and emergency shelter activities. Funds may also be used to support the maintenance of a homeless management information system and administration. Townships…
Community Policing Microgrants Available Until August 17
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) under the U.S. Department of Justice is accepting applications for FY26 Community Policing Development Microgrants. Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply through August 17, 2026, toward demonstration or pilot projects to implement innovative or…
Governor Signs Act That Will Invalidate Municipal Solar Decommissioning Ordinances
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 44 of 2026 (SB 349) into law on July 20, 2026, after passing the House on July 12 by a 196-6 vote. PSATS had asked Shapiro to veto the bill. Act 44 sets up a new statewide system for decommissioning of commercial solar facilities that will preempt (and invalidate) municipal solar…
New Act Addresses Blight, Requires Contact Information for Non-Owner Occupied Properties
Gov. Josh Shapiro also signed Act 29 of 2026 (HB 858) yesterday. Act 29 would direct the chief assessor to maintain a list of all non-owner-occupied property in the county with current contact information for the property owners. Within 30 days of purchase of property in the county, the new property owner would be…
Governor Announces RACP Grant Awards
Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) awards. Nearly $445 million grant awards were made to support 356 projects across Pennsylvania. RACP, administered by the Governor’s Office of the Budget, is a reimbursement grant program that supports essential design, acquisition, and construction projects across the Commonwealth….
Today is Park and Recreational Professionals Day
Today, the third Friday in July, is the Annual Park and Recreational Professionals Day. It recognizes and celebrates the hard work and dedication of those who take care of our public parks and recreation programs. Thank you to the recreation directors and coordinators, grounds crews, volunteers, and all who help take care of the programs…
Reminder: Pitt Graduate Student Initiative Seeks Interested Townships Until 7/31
Professor Nicholas Croce at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking interested townships for a Townships & Technologies initiative. Townships will be paired with graduate students from the School of Public and International Affairs to work on specific challenges related to technology…
Nominate a Trail for Pennsylvania Trail of the Year
Do you know of a trail that provides unique opportunities or simply enhances your community? Nominate it for the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year! The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is accepting nominations for the 2027 Trail of the Year until July 31. The winning trail will be announced in…
DEP Declares Statewide Code Red Air Quality Alert for Today
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) for Thursday, July 16, 2026. Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will be entering Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and pushing into southern counties…
