Each year we hope for an early spring when Punxsutawney Phill peeks out of his burrow. For Local Government Academy, Groundhog Day means that our Municipal Intern Program is open and here comes Summer!

But the clock is ticking. Eligible municipal placement sites have until Wednesday, February 10, to apply for this unique capacity building internship. If you have a worthwhile project that will help a student learn about local government, this summer internship is the way to get it done. But, you have less than two weeks to apply, so hurry to our website for project and placement site criteria.

Then mark your calendars for Thursday, March 18th, because the Municipal Intern Fair is going virtual! Thanks to the Government-to-University Initiative (G2U), our Pittsburgh G2U Regional Coalition is pursuing opportunities to prepare and strengthen the pipeline of talent from local universities into government. This year, Local Government Academy and our selected Placement Sites will participate in the G2U PGH Spring 2021 Government Virtual Career + Internship Fair to meet with students interested in government careers at the federal, state, county, and local levels. More information to come on this fun new aspect of our intern program.

Looking back, we know that 2020 was not a typical year in the life of a public-sector employee, but one that demonstrated the importance and resiliency of local governments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Moving into 2021, we know that much uncertainty remains, and Local Government Academy remains hyper-focused on understanding the needs of municipal governments and responding in real-time to offer guidance and capacity building.

How are we doing this?

Online programming will continue in 2021 with a variety of webinar series focused on Blight Mitigation, Municipal Finance, and Public Sector Human Resources. These important educational opportunities will be enhanced with the addition of How-To videos designed to take a deeper dive into technical issues such as budgeting, employee performance reviews, and code enforcement.

If you represent a community that is struggling, contact me for more information about the Community Financial Health Assessment. This program is for municipalities that are on the verge of financial distress, but which do not need a full-blown financial report associated with an Act 47 or STMP designation. Through this service, government officials receive the guidance of credentialed professionals to examine relevant fiscal information and actionable strategies to move toward fiscal solvency.

As we launch new programs to meet the evolving needs of local governments, we are indebted to the 2021 Advocates for Good Government, whose support ensures that continual learning is available to all municipalities, regardless of ability to pay.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank our Board of Directors for their commitment to our mission and support of our small but mighty staff. I especially wish to recognize three tenured board members whose terms have ended for their time and commitment: Stan Caldwell, Associate Director, Traffic 21, Carnegie Mellon University; Brian Jensen, Ph.D., Senior Director, Pennsylvania Economy League; and, Ken LaSota, Ph.D., Mayor, Heidelberg Borough. And, it is with great excitement that we welcome three new members who will provide fresh new perspectives and a depth of expertise: Jennifer Beer, Vice President, Government Affairs, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development); Charles M. Jones, Municipal Manager, City of Beaver Falls, Beaver County; and Karen Lightman, Executive Director, Metro21: Smart Cities Institute Carnegie Mellon University.

With our foundation strong, Local Government Academy continues to meet our mission by offering fact-based, non-partisan education and technical assistance designed specifically for local government officials and employees. I invite you to learn more about how you can Promote Excellence in Local Government by vising our website or contacting us at [email protected].

Take Care,

Joy