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SEDA-COG primarily
serves the 11 Central Pennsylvania counties of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union. |
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1998 ─ SEDA-COG's first international trade conference is held in Williamsport. It features overviews of economic conditions and opportunities in various global markets. Company personnel in attendance have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Authorized Trade Representatives from Pennsylvania's overseas offices. | |
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The origins of the Pennsylvania Railroad date back to 1834 with an 82-mile rail line between Philadelphia and what community?
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"A new way to make your neighborhood better." Visit Neighborland to share your ideas while connecting with people who share your concerns. Describe your idea, add pictures or video, suggest a location, and share it. What would make your block better? What businesses do you think could thrive in your neighborhood? What issue do you care about?
Right now Neighborland is operating in large metropolitan areas, but it plans to add new communities and is looking for suggestions.
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SEDA-COG is a publicly funded development organization based in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and serving an 11-county region. We help the counties ─ and the communities and citizens within them ─ address challenges related to their economies and infrastructure, and we assist them in responding to new opportunities in such areas as energy, technology, market development, transportation, and locally-based resources.
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River Town Pursues Green Infrastructure
Fifteen miles from Williamsport, the river town of Jersey Shore is located along a wide bend in the West Branch Susquehanna River. Its historic streets blend into the surrounding hills and countryside, connected to the vast Pennsylvania Wilds region where the town has
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Green infrastructure can create economic development opportunities, beautify downtowns, and help meet challenges like stormwater management. |
become a destination for motorists, bicyclists, hikers and paddlers alike. Today Jersey Shore is focused on more than its setting and its past. With help from the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership the Borough seeks to become a vibrant regional river town, employing green infrastructure measures and river-linked economic development. Green infrastructure goes beyond parks and open spaces. By weaving green thinking into community development, places like Jersey Shore can turn flood hazard mitigation, storm water management and water quality protection into new opportunities for community growth, recreation, and economic development.
Stormwater management is among critical issues affecting flood-prone Jersey Shore. According to Mayor Dennis Buttorff, "Anything over an inch of rain can lead to problems." The town's stormwater sewers channel polluted surface water runoff from streets and sidewalks directly into the River and Lawshe Run, a small stream draining much of Jersey Shore. The community is taking steps to develop a Green Infrastructure Plan, laying out innovative solutions such as porous paving, infiltration planters, bio-retention swales, street trees, and rain "gardens" ─ measures that add to the beauty of the community while improving environmental quality.
Other green infrastructure measures are under consideration in Jersey Shore including a public river access site on the West Branch. Preliminary design work has been completed and, although a portion of the finances have been committed, approximately $45,000 is still needed. When completed the river access site can be the focal point for numerous activities and enterprises. In addition to boaters, people will use the riverfront site to sit, walk, relax, and enjoy the river. It can be a wonderful location for complementary businesses overlooking the riverfront ─ cafes, restaurants, and river-related recreation.
The community has established a connection between the River and the 65-mile long Pine Creek Rail Trail, and it is upgrading the Thompson Street Recreation Complex. Potential projects include connections to the Lock Haven riverfront and Williamsport River Walk.
Realizing the Borough's "green dream" will take time and require sustained effort on the part of the community and its citizens, leaders, institutions and organizations. Action priorities must be established; financial resources must be identified and thoughtfully allocated. To this end, Jersey Shore is organizing a community Green Team, which will play an important role in shaping the agenda for Borough policy, acquiring funds, and generally promoting green infrastructure, which appears to be the next step in the evolution of this historic river town.
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Searching for Sales in the Middle East
A long-time client of SEDA-COG's Export Development Assistance Program has signed its first distributor in Pakistan. QBC Diagnostics, located in Centre County, has been working with SEDA-COG since 2005. The company manufactures hematology and fluorescence microscopy equipment and supplies, and is  selling its products globally through distributors as well as directly to end users. QBC's new distributor in Pakistan is based in Karachi, importing, distributing, and marketing surgical, orthopedic, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and healthcare products throughout Pakistan and Afghanistan.
QBC's arrangement with the distributor was worked out with assistance from Pennsylvania's Authorized Trade Representative for the Middle East Regional Office. On behalf of Pennsylvania, the Middle East Office has been active in Pakistan since 1998, conducting on-going outreach efforts to cultivate leads for Keystone State companies.
SEDA-COG introduced QBC to the Trade Representative and assisted with the preparation of work orders. Earlier this year SEDA-COG completed a two-day customized training session for QBC, focusing on such topics as product classification, documentation, licensing, and export compliance.
Individuals who would like to learn more about SEDA-COG's Export Assistance services may visit the website or contact Samantha Van Horn, tel. 570-524-4491; e-mail svanhorn@seda-cog.org. |
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Plan for Lake Augusta Highlights Opportunities as well as Challenges
Many of us in Central Pennsylvania look to the Susquehanna River to renew our spirits and be reminded of our history even as we reflect on the potential and future of this special place. In the River's middle, where the two branches unite, sits Lake Augusta, formed by the world's largest inflatable dam, extending from Sunbury to Shamokin Dam. SEDA-COG's Community Resource Center has completed the Lake Augusta Gateway Corridor Plan, addressing Lake-related opportunities and challenges involving transportation, recreation, environmental enhancement, community revitalization, and economic development.
While Lake Augusta is a valuable regional asset, its direct impact falls on three counties and seven municipalities that share this riverfront: Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties; the boroughs of Northumberland and Shamokin Dam; Monroe, Point, Union, and Upper Augusta townships: and the City of Sunbury. Recognizing the communities' shared interests, concerns, and responsibilities, the Plan proposes a unified concept for riverfront development, with plans keyed to each municipality.
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Lake Augusta is framed by highway bridges, a railroad bridge, and the Shikellamy Marina. |
For instance, there are detailed proposals for Northumberland's Duke Street Corridor, North 4th Street in Sunbury, Bridge Avenue on Packer Island, and scenic parkways along portions of Routes 11 and 61. However, they are not presented as a series of separate projects, but as elements in a cohesive environmental asset consisting of the River, the landscape, and interconnected river towns and attractions. Underscoring this approach, the Plan asks us to consider what it would be like to live and work in a park, to imagine life, commerce, and recreation in an urban heritage park.
The success of the Lake Augusta Gateway idea depends on public-private teamwork involving commitment, partnerships, and investments. The Plan suggests a number of potential stakeholders including chambers of commerce, municipalities, environmental groups, and state agencies. "Those who seek a role," says the Plan, "must decide on the next steps to be taken." The Plan stops short of recommending a specific organizational type and form, but emphatically concludes the organization is the "...essential foundation for action, leadership, consensus-building, and achieving intended results..."
Read more about Lake Augusta. View photos on Facebook. Learn more about SEDA-COG's Community Resource Center. |
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Mifflin County Firm is First Recipient
of SEDA-COG TEAM Loan
The first loan through SEDA-COG's new TEAM loan program has been finalized. Coffee Run Heat Treating, in Mifflin County received a loan of $67,000 to assist in the construction of a manufacturing facility for treating wooden pallets. The business is an expansion of Lavern and Jewel Peachey's Coffee Run Trucking company.
The TEAM (Telecommunications, Equity, and Marcellus) program was established earlier this year and is focused on telecommunications and broadband services, and companies serving Marcellus and Utica shale-related industries. A total of $1.12 million in financing is available through the program, of which Immix Wireless contributed $120,000. In addition to the aforementioned, SEDA-COG's new TEAM program can provide up to half the required equity injection for SBA 504 loans. For example, if $250,000 in equity is needed for a $2.5 million project, TEAM funds can reduce that to $125,000.
An SBA 504 loan of $452,000 for Coffee Run's project was preliminarily approved by the SEDA-COG Local Development Corporation in March and subsequently given final approval by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Bank financing for the project has also been secured.
The project involves heat treating wooden pallets, which eradicates any insects, mold, or mildew that may be present. It is generally required for pallets that will be shipped overseas or used in the distribution of pharmaceuticals or food.
Read more about the TEAM program. Learn more about SEDA-COG's Business Development Finance services. |
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Financing News . . .
SEDA-COG is providing $300,000 in three separate loans to assist in the growth of a Centre County firm. TransducerWorks has purchased and renovated the building directly across from its former location on Route 45 in Centre Hall. The company serves all segments of the ultrasound market. It began operations in Penn State University's incubator at Innovation Park. The financing from SEDA-COG is from revolving loan programs funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and Economic Development Administration. Additional financing has been provided by First National Bank of Pennsylvania. The company expects to create four full-time jobs over the next three years.
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The SEDA-COG Local Development Corporation has given preliminary approval to an SBA (Small Business Administration) 504 loan of $580,000 to Kightlinger Motors, in Coudersport, Potter County. The company plans to purchase the building which currently houses their retail auto sales and maintenance repair business. Additional financing is anticipated. Kightlinger Motors has been a family owned business since 1978, selling new and used vehicles, and repairs and body work. The dealership currently employs 33 people and expects to add five employees over the next two years. Kightlinger's loan application will be reviewed and final action taken by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
reichard@seda-cog.org, or visit us on the web. |
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Byte-sized News . . .
The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) has completed construction on a 5,000 ft. railroad siding near Milesburg, Centre County. The new Miller Siding parallels the main line of the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER), one of the JRA's five shortlines. Known as a "runaround track," it will allow railroad crews to position a locomotive on either end of a train, greatly improving operations by making them safer and more efficient. The new siding has been named in honor of the late Jim Miller, former General Manager of the NBER and the Juniata Valley Railroad.
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Elected officials as well as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administrators and recipients should look into CDBG: Tools for Compliance, a two-day training session in State College, September 18 and 19. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Commonwealth's CDBG program. Topics on day one include eligibility, fundability, and environmental reviews. Day two's schedule includes Section 3, procurement, and Davis-Bacon regulations. Registration is $250 by August 31; $275 afterwards. Visit SEDA-COG's Community Development web site for details or contact David Grey at 570-524-4491.
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The SEDA-COG Housing Development Corporation is accepting applications from those seeking to live at Mann Edge Terrace, Lewistown's new apartment building for senior citizens. Interested individuals may contact Linda Mincemoyer at 1-800-326-9310. The building will be ready for occupancy late this year or early 2013. Mann Edge Terrace consists of 31 units and furnished community space throughout the building including a community room, sitting lounges, library, computer lab, and sun porch. Click here for more information.
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The Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society (BHRS) is sponsoring four different fall foliage railroad excursions on October 20-21. They'll travel along Spring Creek and through the Bald Eagle Valley. The excursions range from one to three-and-a-half hours. As part of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority's continuing support of BHRS, the Nittany and Bald Eagle Railroad is donating locomotives and crew.
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The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs offers numerous opportunities for training in August. Classes are held throughout the state. In August there are sessions on Basic Municipal Budgeting, a Pennsylvania municipal legal update, and a webinar on Municipal Debt Collection. An eight-part webinar on the new borough code is also scheduled. For details, visit the training page at the Association's web site. |
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Upcoming Events & Activities
"CDBG: Tools for Compliance"
Central Pennsylvania International Trade Conference
Government Contracting Seminars
Williamsport ─ Aug. 9Shamokin ─ Aug. 30Chambersburg ─ Sept. 13State College ─ Sept. 20SEDA-COG Board of Directors
Lewisburg ─ Sept. 26, Oct. 24SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority
Lewisburg ─ Aug. 8, Sept. 12
SEDA-COG Rural Planning Organization
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For further information or questions about The SEDA-COG Report, contact Steve Kusheloff, Manager, Public Information, tel. 570-524-4491, ext. 7217; or e-mail skusheloff@seda-cog.org. |
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