PA's contractor registry is still hobbled after August 2025 cyber attack
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Contractor Registration is still grappling with the effects of a cyber attack in August 2025 and cannot process registrations. The registry is intended to protect consumers by screening for registered, accountable contractors. Individuals and businesses who perform over $5,000 in annual home improvements are required to register with the program, which is enforced by the Attorney General’s Office under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). It requires liability insurance and a $50 fee. For contractors who started a new business after Aug. 8, 2025, and for existing contractors whose registrations expired after that date, the Office of Attorney General will allow a grace period to register or reregister up to 30 days after the registration system is restored. More information is available at the Office of Attorney General website. The outage is leading to reports of difficulties at the local level, as municipal officials tell Realtors and property owners that they are having trouble verifying contractors' status. Members of the Bucks County and Tri-County associations of Realtors are encouraged to contact the Suburban Realtors Alliance if they experience problems dealing with municipal officials during real estate transactions.
Source: Office of PA Attorney General

Pennsylvania broadband expansion stalls as feds miss deadline
Federal approval of Pennsylvania’s plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on broadband expansion remains delayed after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) missed its self-imposed, 90-day review deadline, leaving the state unable to finalize contracts or begin construction. The cause of the delay is unclear, with NTIA declining to comment. Pennsylvania submitted its plan in early September but, more than 120 days later, is still awaiting approval, making it one of 10 states still in limbo despite federal officials having signed off on most others. The grant program was created in 2021 as part of a massive bipartisan infrastructure package that aims to ensure that everyone in the U.S. has access to high-speed internet. The delay comes amid significant rule changes to the broadband grant program under the Trump administration, which emphasized cost-cutting and increased reliance on satellite and wireless internet over fiber. NTIA has warned that it could reject specific grant awards if it deems the cost “excessive,” however the rule changes will allow Pennsylvania to connect all qualifying areas for about $790.7 million — well below its original $1.1 billion allocation. Pennsylvania is one of 10 states waiting for approval.
Source: Spotlight PA; 1/22/2026

Congress releases $460B spending package preserving housing programs
Congressional appropriators unveiled a $460 billion “minibus” spending package for fiscal 2026 that includes the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill and largely rejects the administration’s proposed cuts to key housing programs, maintaining funding for Housing Choice Vouchers at $34.96 billion, Housing Counseling at $57.5 million, the Fair Housing Initiatives Program at $56 million, and Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnerships at $3.3 billion and $1.25 billion respectively. Supporters say the funding levels will sustain housing stability, expand homeownership access and support community development, while also reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program through Sept. 30. Read more at the National Association of Realtors website.
Source: NAR; 1/22/2026 

Redevelopment stalls at Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem
Neshaminy Mall ended 2025 largely empty and far removed from its once-bustling holiday shopping heyday, as redevelopment plans for the 91-acre property remain stalled more than a year after its $27.5 million sale to Paramount Realty. Although still anchored by Barnes & Noble and Boscov’s, fewer than two dozen businesses operate in the mall’s more than 1 million square feet of retail space, with the food court reduced to a single restaurant and only a handful of kiosks in the concourse. Longtime mall staples like Hallmark, Bath & Body Works, and Hot Topic remain, but Shoe Carnival is set to close in January, while some vacant spaces have been repurposed for nontraditional uses like a beauty school, a pop-up wedding venue and a church. Developers have not shared updates, and Bensalem Township has not received any formal redevelopment proposals. Prior plans call for demolishing at least 55% of the mall, but what will replace it — and when — remains uncertain.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 12/24/2025

Hoping to attract business, New Britain Borough adjusts zoning
New Britain Borough has unanimously approved zoning changes aimed at attracting more business and development, including a new mixed-use overlay (MUO) district and the expansion of “by right” uses in the light industrial zone. A mixed-used overlay district refers to a zoning area that serves multiple purposes, such as commercial, residential and industrial, simultaneously. The council also approved a zoning map adjustment to allow a retail and residential project at 471 E. Butler Ave. Still in the early planning phase, the project would include commercial space, apartments and a parking garage. Borough officials emphasized that MUO standards and challenging terrain make major deviations from approved plans unlikely and noted the adjustments to the mixed-use and light industrial districts were intended to foster growth while maintaining oversight and community input.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/24/2026

Newtown Township awarded state grant for sidewalk extension project
Newtown Township has received a $750,306 state multimodal transportation grant to fund a sidewalk extension along Newtown-Yardley Road, aiming to create safer, more connected routes for pedestrians. State Rep. Perry Warren (D-31) and state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10), who advocated for the funding, emphasized that the project will enhance walkability, improve access to local businesses, and strengthen community safety through better infrastructure, signage and traffic-calming measures. The grant reflects Newtown Township’s focus on accessibility, smart transportation planning and safer streets for residents.
Source: Newtown Patch; 1/22/2026

Middletown approves fee schedule for 2026
Middletown Township supervisors approved an updated 2026 fee schedule that includes a new credit card processing charge of up to 4% for online payments, shifting those costs from taxpayers to users. While most fees saw minor adjustments, contractor license fees rose from $130 to $150, and significant increases were adopted for the zoning hearing board to address a $70,000 shortfall caused by costly continuances, with new fees now imposed for continuances and extensions. Fire safety permit fees were standardized, new charges were added for fire service standby and training, and park and recreation fees were restructured to prioritize nonprofit and residential users over for-profit entities. Township officials said the changes, based on comparisons with neighboring municipalities, are intended to better align fees with actual service costs while keeping rates competitive.
Source: LevittownNow; 1/14/2026

Solebury works to make Bond House publicly accessible
Solebury Township is moving forward with plans to transform the historic Bond House in Aquetong Spring Park into a publicly accessible, ADA-compliant, multi-use facility after receiving a $350,000 state grant. The funding will support the rehabilitation of the aging home, which could eventually host meetings, educational programs, environmental events and other community uses. Built in 1947 by Dr. Perry Bond and his wife, Helen, the house sits on a 48-acre property purchased in 1936 and later acquired by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 1993. It was transferred to the township in 2009. After years of restoration work, Aquetong Spring Park opened to the public in 2021. Township officials estimate the full project will cost just under $600,000, with the grant administered through the state’s Local Share Account program, which uses gaming revenue to fund quality-of-life projects across Pennsylvania.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 1/24/2026 

12 infrastructure projects in Chesco awarded state funding
Twelve infrastructure projects to improve stormwater management and water quality in nine Chester County municipalities were recently awarded state funding. The funds, approved by the Commonwealth Finance Authority, come through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Small Water and Sewer Grant Program. The awarded funds include: 

• $500,000 for the Borough of West Chester for Phase II of the Goose Creek Sanitary Sewer Conveyance Improvements
• $205,000 for East Caln Township for the Windridge Subdivision Basin Retrofits
• $250,000 for East Caln Township to rehabilitate the Bell Tavern Boulevard stormwater facilities
• $205,000 for East Goshen Municipal Authority to upgrade the Hunt Country Pump Station
• $386,000 for the City of Coatesville to replace stormwater inlets citywide
• $355,000 for the Chester Water Authority for the Oxford Valve Replacement project
• $36,000 for Londonderry Township for the Stormwater Culvert Pipe Replacement project
• $355,000 for the Borough of Oxford for the Oxford Water Mains Replacement and Lead Remediation project
• $355,000 for the Oxford Area Sewer Authority for the Tasty Bake Pump Station
• $419,000 for the West Goshen Sewer Authority for the Interceptor Rehabilitation project
• $180,000 for West Whiteland Township for the Air Release Valve project
• $354,000 for Willistown Township for the West Chester Pike Sewer Extension project

Source: Daily Local; 1/21/2026

Phoenixville weighs 14-home development near Gay Street Bridge
Phoenixville Borough officials are reviewing a preliminary proposal by Audubon Land Development Corp. to build 14 twin homes on 2.7 acres at the corners of Vanderslice and Gay streets near the Gay Street Bridge. The project, known as the Station Hill Subdivision, would feature porches, garages and three parking spaces per unit. Audubon Land Development Corp. is behind several other redevelopments in the surrounding area. Borough residents have voiced concerns over traffic, density, environmental impacts and changes to the historic character of the area, with final details and home prices still unknown as the planning commission prepares for further deliberations.
Source: Phoenixville Patch; 1/21/2026

Uwchlan considers tax credit for volunteer emergency responders
Uwchlan Township officials are considering a draft ordinance that would grant a local earned income tax credit of up to $500 to qualifying volunteer members of the Lionville Fire Company and Uwchlan Ambulance Corps as an incentive to support emergency services. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the Uwchlan Township Building, 715 N. Ship Road, Exton.
Source: Daily Local; 1/26/2026

Kennett Square residents raise growth, housing concerns at borough meeting
Kennett Square Borough officials gathered resident feedback on growth, housing and quality-of-life issues at a recent listening session that will be used to shape a two-year development roadmap. Residents cited positives — such as communication, events, safety, schools and leadership — before shifting to concerns that included rapid construction, loss of green space, tourism impacts and a lack of affordable housing. Short-term rentals drew particular criticism, with residents describing disruptions to neighborhoods. Borough leaders said the short-term rental regulations could be tightened soon. Read more at the Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 1/21/2026

TriCounty Chamber highlights energy, housing at Economic Development Brunch
Rising energy costs, the growth of data centers, housing affordability and regional collaboration were key themes at a Jan. 21 economic development brunch hosted by the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce. Stephen Forster, director of commerce for Montgomery County, Pamela Menet, director of community and economic development for Berks County, and Michel Grigalonis, president and COO of the Chester County Economic Development Council, gathered to discuss shared challenges and opportunities. Panelists emphasized the need to address power generation and grid capacity, plan for economic uncertainty, adapt to shifts in industrial and office real estate, and support succession planning for businesses and agriculture. Noted strengths of the region included mass transit access and a diverse economy, while housing affordability and the lack of “missing middle” options were flagged as workforce concerns. The event also featured municipal updates from Pottstown and Boyertown, highlighting new apartment developments, downtown revitalization efforts, placemaking projects, and progress on trails and passenger rail initiatives.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 1/26/2026