HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker announced more than $585,000 in grants to help municipalities prepare comprehensive plans and implement land-use policies. "This announcement marks the beginning of a new year of 'Growing Smarter' for Pennsylvania," said the Lt. Gov., who chairs the Governor's Local Government Advisory Committee.

"Our communities," he said, "face a variety of land-use challenges, such as conserving open space and natural resources, preserving property rights, resolving zoning conflicts and managing congestion. These funds will help local people address these concerns through conscientious land-use planning and policy."

The grants are the first to be awarded through the land-use Planning and Technical Assistance Program, a streamlined financial assistance resource created to strengthen comprehensive land-use planning throughout the Commonwealth.