News Release – The Pennsylvania Municipal League Presents: ENVISION 2032: Charting the Future for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO NEWS/CITY DESK EDITOR

CONTACT:  Debbie Bitting, Pennsylvania Municipal League, 717-236-9469, ext. *223, dbitting@pml.org

The Pennsylvania Municipal League Presents: ENVISION 2032: Charting the Future for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities
A publication for municipal leaders and elected and appointed officials at all levels of Pennsylvania government

Pittsburgh, PA (October 6, 2022) – The Pennsylvania Municipal League is pleased to debut a publication for municipal officials at all levels of Pennsylvania government – ENVISION 2032: Charting the Future for Pennsylvania’s Municipalities. The publication announcement and release took place today during the Municipal Leadership Summit, a convening of elected and appointed municipal officials from across the state, being held at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh.

The publication culminated from The League’s ENVISION 2032 initiative, which was launched in October 2021, to engage members and stakeholders in a 10-year visioning process. The League conducted a survey of municipal leaders throughout the Commonwealth to identify the issues they viewed as most important to address in the next 10 years and to understand their current priorities.

“ENVISION 2032 is an honest attempt to think ahead by offering local leaders an ongoing opportunity to share ideas and solutions to improve operations, enhance efficiencies and work together to make long-lasting positive changes to help communities succeed,” said League Executive Director John Brenner.

The League convened seven forums across Pennsylvania that brought together more than 200 municipal leaders and stakeholders to share promising practices, learn from their fellow local leaders, and discuss what the future potentially holds. 

“Leadership is often about setting a clear path forward. ENVISION 2032 aims to reveal shared best practices, ideas and successes across Pennsylvania’s communities,” said League President Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace. “Together, through collaboration and support, Pennsylvania’s leaders can leave lasting positive impacts on their communities.” 

The publication covers the topics of highest concern identified by municipal leaders in the survey and forums: infrastructure, municipal finance, equity and civic engagement, community development, sustainability, public health and safety, and economic vitality.

Each topical section within the publication contains context regarding current realities and future challenges for municipalities in Pennsylvania, municipal leaders’ suggestions for how we should move forward, examples of actions municipalities are taking now, and policy recommendations for Commonwealth lawmakers. 

Over the coming months and years, The League will continue advancing the ENVISION 2032 initiative by featuring the latest information and resources on the association’s website, keeping up with changing dynamics and needs, and facilitating the ongoing sharing of ideas and solutions at League events. 

The Municipal Leadership Summit, October 6-9, is a conference of the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association, where municipal officials have convened to share resources and innovative ideas, discuss issues of mutual concern, and participate in a wide-array of educational and professional development sessions designed to address the ways and means of meeting the pressing challenges of municipal management and good governance. 

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About The Pennsylvania Municipal League

The mission of the Pennsylvania Municipal League is to strengthen, empower and advocate for effective local government. The League is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1900 as an advocate for Pennsylvania’s 3rd class cities. Today, The League represents Pennsylvania cities, boroughs, townships, home rule communities and towns that all share their municipal policy interests. The Board of Directors oversees the administration of a wide array of municipal services including legislative advocacy, publications, education/training, consulting-based programs, and group insurance trusts. For more information, please visit PML.org. Join the conversation on Twitter @PAMunicipalLeag and facebook.com/PaMunicipalLeague – #MunicipalLeadershipSummit2022, #StrengthThroughEngagement.