LEWISTOWN — The first public hearing for Mifflin County’s 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program was held Tuesday, April 14, at the Mifflin County Courthouse Annex Building.

The hearing was conducted by Carol Kearney High, a project coordinator with SEDA-COG, which assists Mifflin County with CDBG-funded projects. High also led a separate workshop on the CDBG application process.

High said the federal Community Development Block Grant program was established by Congress in the mid-1970s and is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered in Pennsylvania through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

She noted that Pennsylvania Act 179 of 1984 provides annual funding for community development activities in eligible municipalities and 54 non-urban counties across the state.

The hearing focused on funding for Mifflin County’s non-entitlement communities. Five municipalities — Armagh, Brown, Derry and Granville townships and Lewistown Borough — receive their own separate allocations due to population thresholds and prior distressed community designations.

High said Mifflin County is expected to receive approximately $222,625 in CDBG funding based on 2025 levels, with an official allocation to be confirmed in July. She said funding amounts typically remain consistent from year to year.

About 18 percent of the allocation is used for administrative costs, leaving roughly $183,000 available for projects. High noted that competition for funding can be significant due to limited resources distributed among municipalities.

Because of that competition, High urged municipalities to submit applications as early as possible and include complete information. Applications will be reviewed by the county planning department, county commissioners and SEDA-COG, with follow-up questions directed to applicants as needed.

“Ultimately it is up to the county commissioners who decide the priorities for funding,” High said.

The county will accept CDBG project proposals through Friday, May 22. Application materials, including a project summary form, are available on the county’s website.

High said matching funds are not required but noted that the county expects a commitment of local funding when possible.

Eligible CDBG projects include infrastructure improvements, community centers, historic preservation, economic development activities and public service projects. Ineligible uses include political activities, general operating expenses, most equipment purchases and general government functions.

To qualify for funding, projects must meet one of three national objectives: benefit at least 51 percent low- to moderate-income residents, eliminate slum or blight (with a municipal declaration), or address an urgent need resulting from a declared emergency or disaster.

High also reviewed recent funded projects, including stormwater improvements in Oliver Township, fire hydrant upgrades in Juniata Terrace, water meter replacements in Wayne Township, a river crossing water main project in Juniata Terrace and restroom improvements at Mifflin County Youth Park.

She also outlined proposed 2026 projects, including additional funding for Youth Park restroom improvements, the Church Street Bridge replacement in Newton Hamilton Borough, sidewalk reconstruction in Union Township’s Belleville area and park improvements in Wayne Township.