[Edit] Are you uncertain about grants in an uncertain economy? Perhaps there are more possibilities than can be imagined, despite the shortfall of federal and state funds. Let him know about your municipality's needs at GrossmanHJ@aol.com.)

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Look around and search for help. That can come from a consultant, from regional agencies in your coverage area such as the local development district( there are seven in Pennsylvania), county planning agencies, local development corporations, community development agencies, and much more. When an economy sinks, the needs become more dramatic, and municipal governments must think out of the box. With 2566 local governments in the Commonwealth and with  competition for funds becoming more complicated, many governments need to turn to assistance measures that will heighten their goals and objectives for meeting the needs of residents. For example, there may be more need to consider partnerships with other local governments than ever before in the history of grantsmanship. Therefore,  thinking out of the box requires cooperation between and among local governments that perhaps has never occurred. Here are a few ideas that should be thought of if local governments want to compete in the second decade of the 21st century.
 

    * Secure a friend that can be counted on to represent you before appropriate federal and state officials. That might be someone from the local governing body, a local planning commissioner, a planning consultant, a specialist if fund raising, a known private sector  leader, or other.

 

    * . Study how local governments have been successful elsewhere. That can include contact with the appropriate local governmental association nationally, use of the Internet to check out what has successfully been accomplished elsewhere, and other communication techniques.

 

    * . Use your comprehensive plan that may have been prepared  recently as a technical source to convince officials that you know exactly what you want to achieve.

 

    * . Organize a task force of leaders in your community that perhaps have never joined forces previously and determine how and in what manner they can make their views known for the benefit of community growth and development or if a redevelopment situation how the talent of that task force can best be utilized to renovate and rehabilitate.

 

    * . Establish a newsletter if none exists that can be electronically sent monthly to appropriate officials, constantly setting forth your needs and how the recipient may be helpful in implementing ideas and proposals.

 

    * Write a brief case statement that tells the reader why it is so vital that your needs are of highest priority.

 
These are only a few suggestions that can be useful in enhancing the role that your community can play in coming years to successfully conclude the acquisition of necessary grants.

by Howard J. Grossman
 
 
(Howard J. Grossman, AICP, is President of HJG Associates. 

t him know about your municipality's needs at GrossmanHJ@aol.com.)

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