As the economy continues to recover slowly the challenges in service delivery and policy implementation become even greater for the nation’s local governments. Across the country states are offering programs designed to aid local governments in these core functions.

In Pennsylvania the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently approved 20 projects through their Municipal Assistance Program (MAP). The programs are aimed at improving local emergency services and assisting in the community development process through municipal planning.

ICMA’s Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee identified some similar programs that have been successful in other states:

• In Massachusetts the District Local Technical Assistance Program (DLTA) provides technical assistance to communities in the area of regional planning. The program helps communities develop local and inter-municipal plans, re-write local zoning, or enter into inter-municipal agreements for collaboration or service delivery.
• In Illinois the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning established a Local Technical Assistance Program which offers assistance to communities in the Chicago metropolitan area to undertake projects that advance the principles of the area’s long-range transportation plan GO TO 2040
• In Alabama the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham operates the Building Communities program which provides planning assistance to member governments.

The economy notwithstanding, local governments must push forward with the duties of delivery services and planning for the future. Programs such as the ones mentioned above provide crucial assistance in meeting these objectives.