Here’s a roundup of the latest news and resources for Pennsylvania townships and boroughs:
Grants and Funding
- DCED Accepting Applications for Local Share Account Grants: Townships, municipal authorities, and councils of government can apply for projects costing $25,000 to $1,000,000 with no match required, with applications due November 30, 2026. (https://www.psats.org/dced-accepting-applications-for-local-share-account-grants-2/)
- New Funding for Local Police to Solve Crimes, Improve Crime Reporting: PCCD’s new VICTIM grant program offers $3.5 million for local police departments to reach NIBRS compliance or buy technology that improves clearance rates, with applications due October 21, 2026. (https://www.psats.org/new-funding-for-local-police-to-solve-crimes-improve-crime-reporting/)
- PennDOT Opens Eastern Regional EV Infrastructure Funding Round: Municipalities can apply for NEVI charging station funding, including $32 million for the Eastern region and $11 million for the Central region (both due March 12, 2027), plus $25 million for the Western region (due November 20, 2026). (https://www.psats.org/penndot-opens-eastern-regional-ev-infrastructure-funding-round/)
- FEDERAL Grant Alert: PROTECT Program: Townships can now apply for federal PROTECT grants that strengthen roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure against severe weather and natural disasters. (https://www.psats.org/federal-grant-alert-townships-can-apply-now-for-the-promoting-resilient-operations-for-transformative-efficient-and-cost-saving-transportation-protect-program/)
- Reminder: Motorized Trails and Recreation Grant Program Applications Deadline is 9/30: DCNR applications for ATV and snowmobile trail projects closed September 30, 2026, and the prior round awarded $2.2 million for trail construction, rider education, and safety programs. (https://www.psats.org/reminder-motorized-trails-and-recreation-grant-program-applications-deadline-is-9-30-awards-for-prior-grant-round-announced/)
- Circuit Rider Program: Technical Assistance Available for Rural Water Systems: USDA Rural Development accepts applications year-round for technical help with operational, financial, and managerial problems at rural water systems. (https://www.psats.org/circuit-rider-program-technical-assistance-available-for-rural-water-systems/)
- Find Your Money! Check out the New Website for Unclaimed Property: The Treasury’s new searchandclaimpa.gov portal automatically returns claims of $500 or less, and local governments have recovered more than $20 million over five years. (https://www.psats.org/find-your-money-check-out-the-new-website-for-unclaimed-property/)
- Pension Aid Amounts, Payment Date for 2026 Announced: The Auditor General set the 2026 adjusted unit value at $6,212.0382 and the revised unit value at $6,542.8096, both lower than 2025, with state aid sent by ACH on September 23. (https://www.psats.org/pension-aid-amounts-payment-date-for-2026-announced/)
Legislation and Advocacy
- NATaT Urges FCC to Protect Local Authority Over Rights-Of-Way in Broadband Deployment: NATaT filed comments opposing FCC proposals on preemption, a 120-day review clock, and limits on recoverable review costs. (https://www.psats.org/natat-urges-fcc-to-protect-local-authority-over-rights-of-way-in-broadband-deployment/)
- Trump Executive Order Criticizes Stormwater Fees, “Rain Taxes”: PSATS clarifies that the order does not change MS4 permit requirements, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, or local stormwater fee authority. (https://www.psats.org/trump-executive-order-criticizes-stormwater-fees-rain-taxes/)
- Rapid Deployment Road Projects, Only Funding for the State: The Governor announced $250 million for 79 projects in the first round of a $775 million program, but all of it goes to state-owned roads and none to local governments. (https://www.psats.org/rapid-deployment-road-projects-only-funding-for-the-state/)
Public Safety and Transportation
- PSP Tells Businesses to Remove, Not Unplug, Skill Games Before Deadline: State Police say unplugging a skill game machine does not satisfy the law, and machines must be fully removed by October 13, 2026. (https://www.psats.org/psp-tells-businesses-to-remove-not-unplug-skill-games-before-deadline/)
- PEMA Updates to Disaster Recovery Program and Advisory Group: Updated DRAP-PI guidelines under Act 21 of 2026 now cover damage report and municipal application steps, and the Emergency Readiness Advisory Group held its first quarterly meeting. (https://www.psats.org/pema-updates-to-disaster-recovery-program-and-advisory-group/)
- PennDOT Micromobility Fact Sheet Updated: The refreshed fact sheet clarifies rules for e-bikes, motorized pedalcycles, and motorcycles, including a minimum operating age of 16. (https://www.psats.org/penndot-micromobility-fact-sheet-updated/)
Events and Training
- PennDOT Webinars on Innovations and Best Practices: The Innovation in Motion series continues October 6 (asset management) and December 8 (paperless project delivery), both 10 to 11 a.m., with past recordings available online. (https://www.psats.org/penndot-webinars-on-innovations-and-best-practices/)
- Invest in Your Public Works Team Before Early Bird Savings End: Don’t miss out: early bird registration for PSATS Public Works Expo (PWE ’26) is $175 per person through October 8. (https://www.psats.org/invest-in-your-public-works-team-before-early-bird-savings-end/)
We hope this update provides valuable information for Montgomery County townships. Please check the PSATS website for more news and resources.