The Planning and Development Department is often called upon to assist the County Commissioners with major projects. Major countywide projects include Leadership Development, Rural Addressing, Huntingdon County Geographic Information System, Huntingdon County Economic Development Task Force and Grant Management.
LEADERSHIP HUNTINGDON COUNTY
Leadership Huntingdon County has been developed by the Economic Development Task Force to stimulate positive community change through the development of new leaders. For additional information on Leadership Huntingdon County click here.
PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC PROGRESS
In April 2000 the Huntingdon County Commissioners created the inter-agency Huntingdon County Economic Development Task Force. The Task Force developed a Strategic Plan to address the many economic development issues facing the County and changed its name to the Partnership for Economic Progress (PEP). The role of PEP is to, "encourage economic development in Huntingdon County." Agencies represented include: Huntingdon County Commissioners, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, Huntingdon County Business and Industry, Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Juniata College, Career Link, Mount Union Chamber of Commerce, the Smithfield Township Economic Development Corporation and others.
The following vision statement was developed to guide the Task Force:
It is the vision of the Huntingdon County Economic Development Task Force to improve the economic health and the quality of life of Huntingdon County residents by fostering and enhancing community education and innovation, agency communication and coordination and promotion of a positive image of the County.
The key to success for this organization lies in maintaining a streamlined organization and in fostering a climate where there is a free flow of ideas and communication. Implementation of ideas developed by the Task Force will come through the activities of its members, acting either individually or in cooperation with one another.
911 AND RURAL ADDRESSING
The addressing staff released addresses for Region 1 in 2001 and have continued to complete addressing throughout most of Huntingdon County.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
The most significant accomplishment during 2000 was the completion of the "Huntingdon County Map Book." In addition, significant improvement in the locational accuracy of the Huntingdon County Geographic Information System (GIS) was achieved during the year, and various map coverages were generated and merged into the GIS.
GRANT MANAGEMENT
The Planning and Development Department administers the Community Development Block Grant Program for the Huntingdon County Commissioners. Grant administration activities include preparing grant applications, maintaining grant files, preparing environmental assessments of project activities, conducting eligibility income surveys, enforcement of federal procurement, labor, and civil rights standards, accounting and fiscal management, and overall project direction. Click here for a detailed description of grant activities (go to community development page).