The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development provides several loan and grant programs open to townships throughout the year. The Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program is open to rural townships with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census…
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) hosts the PA Community Tree Assistance Program, an initiative to hire and pay qualified tree-care professionals to maintain a healthy tree canopy. Townships are eligible to request support toward planting and caring for new trees; pruning and maintaining existing…
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and PennDOT are leading the new Pennsylvania Wildlife Connectivity Interagency Work Group to reduce wildlife collisions, improve road safety, and help animals move more freely across the state. The new work group will focus on advancing…
U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to $310 million is available under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Proposals are being accepted through August 24, 2026, for projects between $250,000 and $10 million. Funding will be allocated between two funding pools: Townships, municipal water or wastewater entities,…
Governor Shapiro signed the following bills on Monday that may be of interest to township officials: Act 50 of 2026 (SB 1294) increases the maximum penalty for those who provide CDL training without being properly licensed to do so from $2,500 to $25,000. Act…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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