b'Westmoreland Broadband InitiativeLed by its Planning Division, the county made large strides in 2022 to ensure that all residents and businesses have access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet. Created last year, the Westmoreland Broadband Program surveyed thousands of residents to identify internet gap areas, and the initiative is working with ISPs to deploy infrastructure to unserved communities. The broadband initiative entered its second year by announcing its first four projects, which will expand internet access in the eastern part of the county. Because of this, hundreds more of our residents will be able to connect for work, education, telehealth, shopping and entertainment.Blight Mitigation Spearheaded by the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority and Land Bank, the county has launched an effort to improve our communities. In 2022, county commissioners earmarked $10.4 million of American Rescue Plan funds for blight mitigation. This will have a transformative impact on our communities by revitalizing properties that have fallen into disrepair. As those redeveloped properties return to productive use, proceeds will be reinvested in future blight-remediation efforts that will continue to enliven our neighborhoods.Planning DistrictsHaving successfully facilitated the creation of an intergovernmental council for the first of seven planning districts, the Planning Division in 2022 began the process to establish the Central Planning District. One of the more innovative concepts in the Reimagining Our Westmoreland comprehensive plan, planning districts facilitates partnerships among neighboring communities that face similar challenges. By partnering with their neighbors, our towns and cities can become more resilient and ultimately strengthen the fabric of Westmoreland County. For the Central District, the process aims to tap into the vision, intelligence and capabilities of the central Westmoreland communities with the goal of connecting them to the effort to attract, develop and retain a diverse and stable workforce that will sustain a healthy economy.Westmoreland C-PACE In 2022, Westmoreland County commissioners expanded eligibility for the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. Created in 2021, the program makes it easier for the owners of commercial, industrial, nonprofit and agricultural property to obtain low-cost, long-term financing from private lenders. The program can provide up to 100 percent of funding for efficient equipment, renewable energy and water-conservation projects. The amendment expanded C-PACE eligibility to include:Multifamily commercial buildings with more than five unitsIndoor air-quality improvementsResiliency improvementsC-PACE adds a special lien to the property, which makes these loans more secure and attractive to the private lenders who finance C-PACE projects. Sustainable Energy Fund is the County C-PACE administrator; to discuss a potential C-PACE project, email cpace@thesef.org. 11'