PA Awards $1M in Grants to Strengthen 13 Local Governments' Finances

February 26, 2025 Last updated : February 26, 2025 Editorial Staff

Thirteen municipalities in Pennsylvania are set to receive crucial financial support to help avoid fiscal challenges and enhance local economic development.

Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has announced a grant allocation of $1,096,322 through the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP). This funding aims to assist local governments in Pennsylvania with financial planning and tax base stabilization.

The STMP offers matching grants up to $200,000 to aid municipalities facing financial difficulties in creating long-term financial strategies and establishing fiscal goals. Governor Shapiro played a pivotal role in boosting the STMP budget by $1.25 million for the fiscal year 2023-24 as part of a bipartisan budget agreement, aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania's economic landscape.

According to Secretary Rick Siger, “Healthy, vibrant communities are the key to a strong economy, and the Strategic Management Planning Program is one of the key tools that the Shapiro Administration uses to help bolster our communities.” This funding is set to empower municipalities throughout the state to develop sustainable financial practices for future growth.

The list of grant recipients and their projects includes:

Allegheny County

  • $126,212 to Sharpsburg Borough for technology enhancements such as an emergency text alert system, code enforcement software, and improvements to the borough's digital infrastructure.

Delaware County

  • $200,000 to Upper Darby Township to revamp financial systems and integrate a new human resources and payroll system to better manage data.

Forest County

  • $55,899 to Forest County for hiring consultants to evaluate departmental operations and financial health, providing strategic advice for fiscal stability.

Perry County

  • $135,000 to the Perry County Commissioners to conduct a county-wide technology needs assessment and create a comprehensive capital improvement plan.

Wayne County

  • $29,437 to Honesdale Borough for consulting services to draft a five-year financial management plan.

Governor Shapiro’s Economic Development Initiatives

In his tenure, Governor Shapiro has achieved significant milestones in economic development, such as launching the first statewide economic strategy in nearly 20 years focusing on key sectors like agriculture and technology. Furthermore, he has secured $500 million to expand the PA SITES program, fostering commercial and industrial growth, and introduced the Main Street Matters program with $20 million in funding to revitalize local communities.

Additional strides include enhancing opportunities for minority-owned businesses through a $20 million investment in the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program, underscoring the administration’s commitment to inclusive economic progress.

For further insights into Governor Shapiro’s accomplishments and ongoing projects, visit the Governor Shapiro’s Accomplishments website or explore the interactive midterm report. A comprehensive PDF overview of achievements is also available here.

For more details on the Strategic Management Planning Program or the Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website. Stay connected for updates on Facebook