Railroad News around the Region: 
Bridge Projects and Rail Excursions 

Bridge Restoration Projects

Nine of the highest priority bridges in the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority's (JRA) system will be restored with a grant from the Pennsylvania Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP).  The JRA has been awarded
$1.8 million, which it will match with $768,000.

This restored bridge on the Nittany and Bald Eagle line illustrates the type of projects planned under the JRA's bridge restoration project.

Click here for a list and map of the projects

According to Jeff Stover, Executive Director, JRA, "Completion of these nine rehabilitation projects will positively affect every customer on the Authority's rail lines."

A total of 33 rail freight infrastructure projects were announced by the state, including two additional projects which will impact the JRA.  South Avis Realty was awarded $2.5 million to reconstruct its rail yard in Clinton County and construct additional track.  The rail yard is served by the JRA's Lycoming Valley Railroad, which is operated by the North Shore Railroad Co.  In addition, $250,000 was awarded to North Shore for the first of two phases involving the construction of 1,500 feet of new track in its Northumberland rail yard.

Rail Excursions are Scheduled

Sixty rail excursions will be held in Central Pennsylvania this year, beginning May 24 in Shamokin and concluding December 21 in Bellefonte.  Excursions will also be offered in Bloomsburg, Catawissa, Danville, Lock Haven, Sunbury, and Williamsport.

Click here for the entire schedule

Excursions are a combined effort of local organizations; the JRA, which provides passenger insurance and owns the track on which the excursions run; North Shore, which donates locomotive service; and Penn Valley Railroad LLC, which rents out vintage rail coaches and a caboose for the trips, and provides on-board entertainment and other services.

Jerry Walls, Chairman, JRA, commented on the "...inestimable value..." of the excursions.  "They really put our best foot forward, illustrating the breadth and quality of rail service in our region.  While the general public has little direct interaction with the region's short line system, rail excursions are something everyone can relate to and get a sense of the important role that railroads play."

Read more about rail excursions. View photos on Facebook. Learn more about the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority.

Twenty-five companies in Central Pennsylvania are finalists for Governor's Impact Awards, which recognize companies and individuals who are investing in Pennsylvania and creating jobs.  A total of 43 firms in the region were initially nominated.  Central Region PREP (Partners for Regional Economic Performance) then reduced that group to 25 finalists.

Each of Pennsylvania's ten PREP networks was able to select up to five finalists in each of the five Impact

The Governor's Impact Awards were established in 2013.

Award categories.  The five categories and regional finalists include:

Community Impact
* Larson Design Group
* PPL Corporation
* Webster's Bookstore and Café
* Sire Advertising
* Brodart

Entrepreneur Impact
* Douglas Michael, Columbia County Bread and Granola
* Jessica Grill, Pompeii Street Soap Company
* Todd Erdley, Videon Central, Inc.
* Don Heaney, Advanced Powder Products
* Brian Hoopsick, PSR, Inc.

Export Impact
* Arcos Industries
* Wheeland Lumber Co.
* G & B Specialties, Inc.
* AcousticSheep
* Silco Tek

Jobs First
* Nittany Paper Mills, Inc.
* Stahl Sheaffer Engineering
* Mission Critical Partners, Inc.
* Publishers Service Associates
* Benton Foundry, Inc.

Small Business
* Rich Coast Corporation
* North Shore Railroad Company
* Danville Pharmacy
* Transport Designs, Inc.
* Discovery Machine, Inc.

Central Region PREP will have one winner in each of the categories.  Winners will be announced on May 30.

Read more about the nominees. Learn more about Central Region PREP. 

Financing News . . . 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has completed the financing of a $248,955 SBA 504 loan for construction of the Adamson Funeral Home, a 7,300 sq. ft. facility in Dubois, Clearfield County.  In addition to the SBA 504 loan, financing was provided through company equity and Northwest Savings Bank.  The SBA loan was approved by the SEDA-COG Local Development Corporation (LDC) before submission to SBA for final action.  As a result of the project the company expects to create two full-time and three part-time jobs over the next two years.

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SBA has also completed the financing of a $551,250 SBA 504 loan for the expansion of Sky King Fireworks, one of America's largest fireworks retailers. The company has constructed a new 6,900 sq. ft. building in Franklin County.  Bank financing and cash equity completed the financing.  The SBA loan was approved by the SEDA-COG LDC before submission to SBA for final action.  As a result of the project, four new jobs are expected.  Sky King currently has 18 locations throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.

For more information on SEDA-COG's SBA 504 program e-mail John Reichard or call 570-524-4491, ext. 7251.  Click here to learn more about our Business Development Financing program. 

Byte-sized News . . .

The Susquehanna Greenway Bicycle & River Fest happens Saturday, May 10 in South Williamsport.  Special events include a bike derby and scavenger hunt for kids.  There'll also be live music, healthy food, and prizes.

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Planning organizations representing nine Central Pennsylvania counties are looking for public comment on the transit plan for human services in the region.  The draft plan identifies unmet transportation needs and strategies to meet those needs.  The public comment period ends April 14.

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The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has approved $545,000 in tax credits for Grove Street Commons, a 32-unit apartment building for the elderly that we're developing in Williamsport.

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The National Association of Counties (NACo)National Association of Counties (NACo) has selected SEDA-COG as the subject for a case study, to be presented at NACo's 79th Annual conference this summer.  Two organizations were chosen.  The case study is being prepared by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

Upcoming Events & Activities

Click on the date for more information

Government Contracting Seminars
Chambersburg ─ June 5
Gettysburg ─ May 6
Harrisburg ─ Apr. 16 & 23; May 8, 21, & 28;
                   June 12, 18, & 25
Lewistown ─ May 20
Lock Haven ─ May 13
Williamsport ─ April 15; June 30
York ─ April 29; June 10

Roadway Maintenance & Safety Training for Municipalities
Bloomsburg ─ May 15
Lewisburg ─ Apr. 24; May 7; June 12

Northumberland ─ May 14
State College ─ Apr. 17

Traffic Sign Assessment & Inventory Workshop
Danville ─ May 8

SEDA-COG Board of Directors
Lewisburg ─ April 23; May 28

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority
Lewisburg ─ May 14

SEDA-COG Metropolitan Planning Organization
Lewisburg ─ May 2 & 30