The Planning and Development Department is responsible for the administration of the county's planning and community development programs. The Department is responsible for preparation and maintenance of the Huntingdon County
Comprehensive Plan, "Continuity Through Conservation II". Staff is responsible for development of various functional plans in response to community needs including land use, housing, economic development, community facilities, cultural heritage, natural resources and transportation. The Department also provides planning assistance to municipalities in the areas of comprehensive planning, zoning and subdivision regulation.
A geographic information system (GIS) has been developed by the Department for use in both planning and 911 addressing. In 2007, a County Mapping Department was formed. County and municipal maps are available from the Mapping Department. Census and other information about Huntingdon County can be obtained from the Planning Department.
The Department applies for and administers grants such as the Community Development Block Grant on behalf of the County and various municipalities. Between 1996 and 1998 the Department applied for and administered grants worth over $1,527,484. Recent activities assisted include: Broad Top Water System, Mill Creek Area Water and Sewer Systems, Mapleton Area Sewer System, Shirleysburg Borough Water System, Juniata Valley Senior Citizens, Wood-Broad Top-Wells Joint Municipal Authority, Huntingdon House and Shirley Home.
In 2009, the Huntingdon County Planning and Development Department administered a total of $3,191,867 in State and Federal grants, including $459,190 in Smithfield Township Entitlement CDBG funds.
ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUNDING
Huntingdon County received $621,195 in federal economic stimulus funds during 2009 through three programs administered by the Department.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant
Funds provided under President Bush by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 were awarded to Huntingdon County through a contract received in December of 2009 in the amount of $301,000. This Program is intended to help Mapleton and Mount Union Boroughs address an anticipated high number of foreclosures by purchasing seven properties, rehabilitating or demolishing them and selling the properties to middle and low income homebuyers. The County is pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity on the construction of a new “green” home through this program.
PA Conservation Works Grant Program
In August, Huntingdon County applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for economic stimulus grants through the PA Conservation Works! Program. This new program is designed to reduce energy consumption at existing public facilities, while creating and retaining jobs and supporting the market for energy conservation products. $250,000 was requested for a geothermal HVAC system and lighting upgrades at the Bailey Building, and $206,405 for energy conservation equipment, including two energy recovery units, at the Shirley Home for the Aged. The Shirley Home for the Aged proposal was fully funded. Details are provided in the article below.
Entitlement CDBG-R
A portion of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding was routed through the Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program. Huntingdon County received $80,320 in CDBG-R funding. These funds, which needed to be encumbered expediently by January 20, 2010, were designated to replace doors and windows at the Shirley Home for the Aged and were used to match the PA Conservation Works grant. Smithfield Township received $33,470 in CDBG-R funds that were designated for the purchase of playground equipment, made with recycled plastic in the USA.
Click these links for further information about History of Planning Commission, Planning Commission Members, and Planning Commission Mission Statement.