Works Begins on Design for Bloomsburg's $30 Million Flood Protection Project

The final design for Bloomsburg's flood protection system is expected one year from now.  The Columbia County Commissioners recently signed an agreement with Borton-Lawson, a Pennsylvania-based engineering and architectural firm. 
 

Preliminary flood protection plans call for a U-shaped structure directly protecting Autoneum North America and the Windsor Foods site.  The federal Economic Development Administration and the Commonwealth's H2O PA program are the primary funding

This drilling rig will be used to test the soil prior to designing the flood protection system.

sources for the approximately $30 million project.  Autoneum is also contributing. 
 

As Borton-Lawson prepares the final design, one of the key questions that must be answered is exactly what type of structure can be constructed.  Originally the project was to consist of two separate systems, basically floodwalls.  The revised plan ─ one continuous U-shaped structure ─ offers several advantages, according to SEDA-COG's Glenda Ruch, project coordinator. SEDA-COG is administering the project on behalf of the County Commissioners.
 

Ms. Ruch said, "Under the revised plan, access to buildings behind the flood protection system will be more readily available and it will be easier to expand the system if, at some point in the future, that becomes a feasible option."  The new design is also expected to cost less than the original proposal. 
 

The project was first announced in March, and Windsor Foods has since made plans to close its Bloomsburg facility.  "In spite of their unfortunate decision," said Ms. Ruch, "the building should be protected if it is going to be a viable location for future business investment." 
 

Area residents can learn more about the project at a public meeting January 28, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Bloomsburg Area High School. 

 

Read more about Bloomsburg's flood protection project.  View photos on Facebook.  Learn more about SEDA-COG's Community Development program.

30 Years of the Region's Railroad History 

In commemoration of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority's (JRA) 30th anniversary, it is publishing "Preserving Rail Freight in Central Pennsylvania for 30 Years".  It will soon be available in .PDF format on the JRA's web site. The following is an excerpt: 
 

No one could have foreseen the changes that would occur ─ regionally and nationally ─ in the 30 years since the inception of the Joint Rail Authority.  The economic crisis of 2008 and the regional development of natural gas

Natural gas-related activity is a factor in the regional rail system's growth.  Here fracking sand is transferred from rail car to truck for transport to a well pad.

had the greatest impact, and the two are intertwined.  Natural gas exploration resulted in significantly increased carload totals, particularly on the Lycoming Valley RR.  The economic crisis resulted in, among other things, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided the Authority with over $11 million for new rail facilities, facilities needed to meet increased demand for rail service due to natural gas exploration.  
 

Even before natural gas development in the region, however, there was a growing appreciation ─ nationally and beyond ─ for the role of railroads in moving goods and services.  That understanding, coupled with natural gas, led to growth at the Rail Authority's Newberry Yard and Jersey Shore Steel's South Avis location, in Williamsport and Clinton County respectively, and resulted in construction of the bulk transfer facility at Newberry, which allows for direct interface between rail and truck transport.  The Juniata Valley RR has also shown steady growth, largely due to marketing and local industrial development.  In 2013, rail service returned to the Allenwood area and Great Stream Commons Business Park because much of industrial-based commerce today requires it.
 

One aspect of the JRA's operation that has not changed in 30 years is its ability to carry out major projects.  The Loyalsock Creek Bridge, between Montoursville and Williamsport, was already slated for replacement when flood waters left it heavily damaged in 2011.  The Rail Authority was forced to demolish it and expedite plans to replace it, well ahead of schedule.  The project was underway by the spring of 2013, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2014.  The JRA has successfully undertaken over $40 million in capital projects from 2008-13.  
 

The 80-miles of rail line which originally comprised the railroad system have grown to 200.  The number of individual railroads has grown from two to six.  No one knows the type of growth that will occur over the next 30 years.  We can look at the trends and make predictions, but that's all. 

Of more value might be to view those involved with the region's rail service today; recognize their concern, dedication, and talent; and from those individuals draw a reassuring sense that quality rail service will remain available to the firms and industries in Central Pennsylvania that need it. 

  Financing News . . .

John Yoder has joined our staff as a loan officer with our Business Development Financing program.  John has 19 years in sales, retail, and banking, with experience in management, supervision, budgeting, marketing, and loan procedures.  He has directed the numerous functions of large community banks, while maintaining multi-million dollar portfolios of key business, commercial, and community relationships.  John also has experience with many types of bank lending products, as well as outside programs through the Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For the last eight years, John has served as Vice-president of Commercial Lending for First Columbia Bank & Trust. 

For more information on SEDA-COG's Business Development Financing programs, e-mail John Yoder or contact him at 570-524-4491, ext. 7261.  

 Byte-sized News . . .

SEDA-COG and PennDOT provide transportation-related training to municipal officials through LTAP - the Local Technical Assistance Program.  Take this survey and let us know what type of training you're looking for in 2014.    

#   #   # 

Three of our Export Development clients took part in the recent MEDICA Trade Fair, held every November in Düsseldorf, Germany.  It's billed as the world's largest medical marketplace.

#   #   #

SEDA-COG was among approximately 90 organizations, companies, and other groups participating in the recent CBICC Expo in State College, sponsored by the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County.  Click here to view photos of the Expo on Facebook.