Lehigh Times

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has approved $220,000 in funds toward seven projects through the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) to help local governments in zoning and updating comprehensive plans.

The funds will help with projects in seven counties across Pennsylvania for planning and implementing municipal projects in community planning and shared services, a recent news release from Gov. Tom Wolf's office said.

“It is important for communities to evolve as the needs of their residents change,” Wolf said in the release. “The MAP funding awarded today is essential in helping communities pave the way for the future through the reevaluation of zoning and comprehensive plans.”

In Allegheny County, $15,000 is going to Mt. Lebanon to update their comprehensive plan. This will be through creating a new 10-year plan with a focus on community goals, objectives and investment.

In Butler County, $15,000 goes to Slippery Rock Borough to update their comprehensive plan with a focus on analysis as well as suggestions about natural resources, agricultural land, historic buildings, public facilities, and commercial and economic base.

There will be $50,000 going to Carbon County for the update of their comprehensive and greenway plan from 2013. The update will provide best-practice policies for future development and conservation.

In Cumberland County, $30,000 is going toward the update of its comprehensive plan to make it more “oriented, concise and user friendly.”

There will be $35,000 going to the City of Hazleton in Luzerne County to create a multimunicipal comprehensive plan for Hazleton City, West Hazleton Borough and Hazle Township.

The North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission will receive $50,000 to create a comprehensive plan.

In Westmoreland County, $25,000 will go to North Huntingdon Township for the development of a comprehensive plan.