Stay informed with the latest news and resources for Pennsylvania townships and boroughs:
Grants and Funding
- DCED Announces Municipal Assistance Grant Awards: The state Department of Community and Economic Development awarded $1,341,652 through the Municipal Assistance Program to municipalities across 22 counties for plan updates, cooperative zoning ordinance revisions, wayfinding sign projects, and shared services work. (https://www.psats.org/dced-announces-municipal-assistance-grant-awards/)
- New Funding Available for Mixed-Use Development Projects: The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is accepting proposals from local governments, redevelopment authorities, and developers for new construction or rehabilitation of mixed-use buildings, with submissions due October 30, 2026. (https://www.psats.org/new-funding-available-for-mixed-use-development-projects/)
- Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant: Deadline approaching: the Office of the State Fire Commissioner is accepting Fire and EMS Grant Program applications until October 22 from companies actively reporting to PennFIRS, with funds available for facilities, equipment, debt reduction, training, and recruitment. (https://www.psats.org/fire-company-and-emergency-medical-services-grant-2/)
Public Safety and Emergency Management
- PA State Police Offer Skill Games Guidance as Seizure Deadline Approaches: State Police plan to seize skill games machines starting October 14, 2026 if the legislature does not act by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s October 13 deadline, and they recommend that businesses hosting the machines arrange removal with their distributors now. (https://www.psats.org/pa-state-police-offer-skill-games-guidance-as-seizure-deadline-approaches/)
- PEMA Readiness Executive Order: Gov. Shapiro signed an executive order directing PEMA to develop a “Commonwealth Surge Workforce” of state employees who can be temporarily reassigned to disaster recovery, along with an Emergency Readiness Action Plan, in response to new FEMA guidelines that shift more disaster staffing to the states. (https://www.psats.org/pema-readiness-executive-order/)
- Reminder: Free, In-Person Cybersecurity Training Events Scheduled for Local Governments: The Pennsylvania State Police, Office of Homeland Security, and PA CyberCom are hosting free workshops on threat awareness, cyber hygiene, and incident response, including Malvern on November 17 and Scranton on November 19, with lunch provided and a limit of two participants per agency. (https://www.psats.org/reminder-free-in-person-cybersecurity-training-events-scheduled-for-local-governments/)
Planning, Land Use, and Development
- Data Center Resources Available: PSATS has assembled an on-demand “Basic Planning for Data Centers” webinar, example ordinances and guidance documents in its Resource Center, and public education videos, alongside DCED’s Pennsylvania Data Center Planning Toolkit. (https://www.psats.org/data-center-resources-available/)
- Changing Electricity Demands Forecasted by PUC: The PUC’s latest Electric Power Outlook reports that statewide electricity consumption fell 0.24% in 2025, while utility five-year forecasts project an 18.56% increase in industrial demand driven by data centers and other large-load customers. (https://www.psats.org/changing-electricity-demands-forecasted-by-puc/)
- Chobani Investing in Pennsylvania Township: Upper Macungie Township in Lehigh County will host Chobani’s first Pennsylvania dairy plant, a $1.2 billion investment supported by $50 million in PA SITES loans and grants, with Lower Macungie and South Whitehall townships among the local partners. (https://www.psats.org/chobani-investing-in-pennsylvania-township/)
Administration and Training
- Salary Survey Spotlight, PTO Trends Over Time: PSATS Salary Survey data shows a clear shift since 2018, when about 70% of participating townships reported paid time off that did not vary by length of service, to 2026, when most participating townships base accrual on years of service. (https://www.psats.org/salary-survey-spotlight-pto-trends-over-time/)
- COSTARS Regional Member Training Workshop: Central Region: COSTARS is hosting a free member training workshop on September 30, 2026 from 10 a.m. to noon in Williamsport, Lycoming County, covering the program, its contracts, and in-person time with the COSTARS team. (https://www.psats.org/correction-missing-links-for-costars-regional-member-training-workshop-central-region/)
Commemorations
- Patriot Day: 25th Anniversary of 9/11: Congress has designated September 11 as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, with flags at public buildings flown at half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives in 2001. (https://www.psats.org/patriot-day-25th-anniversary-of-9-11/)
- New State Archives Exhibit, Heroes of Flight 93 and First Responders: The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission opened “Witness to History: Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001” at the State Archives, honoring the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93 and the responders who worked the crash site, open during regular Archives hours. (https://www.psats.org/new-state-archives-exhibit-heroes-of-flight-93-and-first-responders/)
- Countdown to Constitution Day: PSATS marks September 9, 1776, the day the Continental Congress formally declared the new nation the “United States of America,” replacing the term “United Colonies.” (https://www.psats.org/countdown-to-constitution-day/)
We hope this update provides valuable information for Montgomery County townships. Please check the PSATS website for more news and resources.