Municipal Assistance Program (MAP)

The Municipal Assistance Program (MAP), administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), supports local governments in Pennsylvania by providing funding for shared service and community planning initiatives. The program is managed by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services and is designed to foster effective and efficient local governance through strategic cooperation, innovation, and comprehensive planning. MAP aims to improve municipal operations and community development with a particular emphasis on multi-municipal collaboration. Funding under MAP is available for two primary types of activities: shared services and community planning. Shared service activities may include regionalization or consolidation of public services, shared personnel, and boundary change studies. These projects must involve at least two municipalities and focus on creating measurable improvements in service delivery or cost savings. Community planning activities may cover comprehensive planning, land use ordinances, Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) studies, and other strategic planning efforts. MAP places an emphasis on entrepreneurial and implementable plans, especially those promoting intergovernmental cooperation and sustainable development. Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania counties, municipalities, councils of governments (COGs), and other intergovernmental bodies authorized by participating municipalities. Shared service projects must involve two or more municipalities, while community planning projects may involve one or more. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs, with at least 25% required to come from non-state sources. In-kind contributions are permitted under certain conditions, and exceptions to match requirements may be granted in cases of fiscal distress or boundary transitions. Applications must be submitted via DCED’s Single Application portal. Required documentation includes a project narrative, budget spreadsheet and narrative, resolutions or letters of certification from participating entities, and letters of support where applicable. Community planning projects must also include a comment letter from the county planning agency confirming alignment with the county comprehensive plan. Application deadlines are March 1 and December 1 annually. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it is extended to the next business day. Projects are evaluated on several criteria, including demonstrated need, feasibility, financial commitment, partnerships, cost savings potential, and innovation. For shared service applications, emphasis is placed on tangible cooperation and service enhancement. For community planning, priority is given to implementable strategies and innovative development tools. Additional considerations include past performance on DCED grants and the financial condition of the applicant. MAP is a recurring grant program. Applicants can expect a typical performance period of one year following award notification. For inquiries, contact the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services at 717-787-8158 or email ra-dced-kcp@pa.gov. More information, including program fact sheets and webinars, is available on the DCED website.