Table of Contents
Grants are Available for Greenway Signs
30 Years of Help with Government Contracting
Federal Focus Group at SEDA-COG
Financing News
Byte-sized News
Calendar of Events
 


 


 


 


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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.
 


 


 


 


Historic Factoid
  
1986 - Clinton County joins the  SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority


 


 


 


 


One-question Quiz

 

Although it is one of the original 13 colonies, how do Pennsylvania's borders differ from those of its 12 sister colonies?

 

Click here for the answer 



 


 


 


 


Featured Link

 

 

Federal Student Aid


Paying for college can be a daunting experience for students as well as their parents.  This web site from the U.S. Department of Education can help.  There's information about state and federal assistance, and instructions for completing necessary forms.  Details about student loans can be found here, even a repayment estimator to determine monthly loan payments. 



 


 


 


 


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Our Digital World

 

 

And therein lies a problem that has no easy solution: how to fully transform for the digital future when the business model - and the DNA of the newsroom - is so tied to the printed newspaper.


 A Paper Boat Navigating a Digital Sea
Margaret Sullivan
New York Times
June 14, 2014 

 


 


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.

Encouraging Exploration and Discovery with Susquehanna Greenway Signs 

 

Does your Susquehanna River community have a story to tell?  Do you want to encourage visitors to explore, discover, and learn about your town?  The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's mini-grant program can provide grants for interpretive planning and signage to improve the experience of visitors as well as individuals using walking and biking trails, community parks, and water trails. 

 

A total of $60,000 is available through this competitive grant program.  Grants of up to $10,000 may be used for plans to promote a community's

Greenway sign at Millersburg's riverfront park.

heritage and its natural and recreation resources.  Funds can also be used to design, produce, and install signs based on Susquehanna Greenway Sign Design Guidelines.

Funding for the program is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR) Keystone Fund.

 

The deadline to submit applications is July 22, 2014.  Eligible applicants include municipalities, councils of government, conservation districts, and authorities within the Susquehanna Greenway's 20 counties.  Non-profit organizations seeking to apply are encouraged to partner with their municipality or another eligible applicant.  Projects require a 1:1 match, which cannot be derived from other DCNR funds.  Grant awards will be announced on September 2, 2014.

 

Grant guidelines and application forms are available online.  All questions and comments can be directed to Zach Pyle, River Towns Program Coordinator, tel. 570-522-7339.   

Over 30 Years - Changing Trends in Government Contracting Assistance 

 

Next month the SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will celebrate 30 years of providing government contracting assistance to the region's business community. For three decades the Center's essential mission has remained the same ─ assist companies in doing business with the local, state and federal government.

 

SEDA-COG's PTAC program has grown substantially, from 47 prime and sub-contracts valued at $515,000 in the first year, to more than a thousand contracts per

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center at SEDA-COG has been working with area companies for 30 years. 

year, valued at over $100 million.  At the federal level, Robert Brown, the program's Director, has seen a shift from defense-related products to health care and homeland security products and services.  Contracts with the Veterans Administration are more prevalent also, as soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan.   

 

In terms of procurement, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has undergone numerous changes in the state certification process.  Small businesses can now self-certify their status with the state, and the certification process has changed for woman-, minority- or veteran-owned businesses. There are also more opportunities for small businesses to work on PennDOT projects.  

 

Procurement assistance generally begins with a business submitting an online "application for information or services" from the program's website. Appropriate markets and purchasing agencies within the government are identified, and the company is often instructed on the correct means of identifying and responding to bid opportunities.

 

The PTAC also helps companies obtain certifications for which they may qualify.  Many companies find their niche working with large businesses as a vendor, but a company must do its homework before approaching a large business.  SEDA-COG can teach business owners how to position their firm for potential business opportunities, and the process to become a vendor for the large business.

  

Firms may also wish to attend one of SEDA-COG's contracting workshops or seminars, all of which are listed on our Calendar of Events.  
 
In spite of the sales opportunities offered through government contracts, Brown says many companies are hesitant because the process can appear to be intimidating.   "One thing about government agencies," says Brown, "you're going to get paid when the work is completed properly.  They're good customers."  Companies have to be persistent and take a long-term approach in order to be successful in the government marketplace.  "You may need to get out of your comfort zone," he says, "but we're here to help you."

 

The Defense Logistics Agency, through a cooperative agreement, is the federal funding source for the PTAC program.  Funding is also provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through PREP - Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance.  Area firms seeking help through the SEDA-COG PTAC, may e-mail Brown or call him at 570-524-4491. 

Appalachian Regional Commission
Focuses on its Impact in Pennsylvania 

 

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has played an important role in Central Pennsylvania and throughout the 13-state region the Commission serves.  As it nears its 50th year, where is it headed, and how can its past shed light on its future?  Regional officials from across Pennsylvania, plus business and community leaders, came to SEDA-COG early this month as part of a focus group, one of a series intended to help guide the federal organization into its second half century.

 

Each of Pennsylvania's seven Local Development Districts (LDDs) were represented - multi-county organizations specially designated to deliver ARC-related services.  The primary attribute of ARC's funding they said, is flexibility, sometimes providing

The ARC focus group attracted a crowd to SEDA-COG's conference room.

seed money to get a project started, sometimes supplementing other public dollars to fully fund a project.

 

In the 1980's, as federal dollars through ARC were drastically reduced, that flexibility allowed Pennsylvania's LDDs to establish Enterprise Development programs, i.e., business assistance services which significantly widened the impact of ARC funds.

 

Equally valuable is ARC's "bottoms up" approach, as one participant said.  The specific use of ARC dollars, within a region, is largely based on priorities established by local officials ─ elected and otherwise ─ sitting on the board of an LDD.  Another referred to ARC as a "boundary crosser," able to bring diverse opportunities together.  The LDDs are also boundary crossers, bringing together different communities, thereby crossing the boundaries of local governments.

 

As to the future, funding remains a critical need.  ARC currently receives $80.3 million per year to support projects developed by 73 multi-county LDDs in 13 states.  As to the use of their ARC dollars, participants in the focus group stressed the need for planning.  "Planning can be the empowerment mechanism," said one individual, "needed to make large infrastructure projects happen."  State and federal dollars, intended for planning, are scarce in today's public funding environment.

 

Use of ARC funds for staff capacity at the LDD level is also important.  LDDs are working one-on-one with business people and community officials, assisting in the development of local projects, and helping to bring their vision to life.  In many cases, LDDs have become the "go to" organization in the regions they service, providing local governments with expertise in economic and community development.

  

July's focus group at SEDA-COG is one of several being held across the 13-state region.  They are being conducted in partnership with the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, a non-profit research organization based in Arlington, VA; and two West Virginia University research units ─the Regional Research Institute, and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research.   

Financing News . . .

 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has completed the financing of a $730,000 SBA 504 loan to Walker & Walker Equipment, a Central Pennsylvania firm which leases, sells, and services commercial vehicles and equipment.  It has operations in Dubois and Indiana, Pennsylvania, and recently expanded into Centre Hall.  The SBA loan was approved by the SEDA-COG Local Development Corporation before submission to SBA for final action.  As a result of the project the firm expects to add five full-time employees over the next two years.

 
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SEDA-COG has finalized loans of $165,000 and $45,000 for expansion of a dental practice in State College.  Dr. Jocelyn Anderton has purchased equipment and renovated a commercial building at 1393 North Atherton Street, the new home of her practice.  In addition to the loans from SEDA-COG, financing has been provided by Kish Bancorp.  As a result of the project, Dr. Anderton will retain all five existing employees and add two over the next three years.   

 

For more information on SEDA-COG's Business Development Financing program, call or e-mail John Reichard, 570-524-4491, ext. 7251, or visit us on the web.

Byte-sized News . . . 

 

Construction of the new Loyalsock Creek railroad bridge between Montoursville and Williamsport is complete.  The first train went over the bridge on July 2.

   

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Our Weatherization program earned a bonus from Penelec, with whom we have a contract to provide services for the company's income-eligible customers.  The bonus is recognition for meeting our annual goal of one hundred homes. Click here for details. 

    

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Energizing Small Communities - A Guide to Greater Energy Independence and Economic Resiliency has been chosen to receive a 2014 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations.  Published by the SEDA-COG Energy Resource Center, Energizing Small Communities is a how-to manual for municipalities to follow as they pursue community-wide energy reduction.

 

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Three members of our Weatherization staff have received their Home Energy Professional Certification after undergoing training at Penn College in Williamsport.  The three are now certified Quality Control Inspectors.  More information is available here.

   

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There's finally a permanent parking area at the Hepburn Street River Walk access area in Williamsport.  A new railroad crossing was also built at the site, along with a fence, 12-feet from the adjacent railroad.  Click here for details

Upcoming Events & Activities

Click on the date for more information

 

Government Contracting Seminars
Gettysburg ─ Sept. 10
Harrisburg ─ July 22, 23 & 28; Aug. 20; Sept. 16
Lock Haven ─ Sept. 23
State College ─ Aug. 19

Williamsport ─ July 29 

 

SEDA-COG Board of Directors

Lewisburg ─ July 23

 

SEDA-COG Metropolitan Planning Organization

Lewisburg ─ July 18; Sept. 26 


For further information or questions about The SEDA-COG Report, e-mail Steve Kusheloff, Manager, Public Information, or call 570-524-4491, ext. 7217.