As we say goodbye to 2022, I am filled with gratitude for the support I have received over the last four years during my tenure as Executive Director of Local Government Academy. With that said, nothing compares to how excited I am to begin 2023. Why? Local Government Academy celebrates 40 years of Promoting Excellence in Local Government! So, what do we have planned?

We are kicking off 2023 with the Municipal Intern Program! Now accepting applications from Placement Sites, this exciting workforce development initiative is extremely popular, and funding is limited! Check out what we did in 2022 and submit your application before February 15, 2023.

We are serious about strengthening capacity at the local level and are focusing on fiscal solvency in the public sector and are working with municipalities to modernize financial management practices before programs such as Act 47 are needed.

We recognize the value of high-quality public media platforms to deliver accessible educational programs, which is fueling the popularity of the Academy’s Virtual Academy, an online library of recorded educational videos on matters relevant to local governments in Pennsylvania.

Finally, don’t forget that 2023 brings a Municipal Election and we are busy selecting speakers and developing content for the 2023-2024 Newly Elected Officials Course (NEOC), which helps public officials understand the fundamentals of municipal government as well as best practices in good governance such as ethical decision-making, avoiding conflicts of interest, and intergovernmental cooperation.

Working across the municipal world, academic community, and civic and business leaders, we are working diligently to promote “Excellence in Local Government” and I invite you to share your thoughts on what that means for your community by emailing me at [email protected].

– Joy