|
| |
SEDA-COG primarily
serves the 11 Central Pennsylvania counties of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union. |
|
1983 - John Brennan, former Chief Clerk to the Northumberland County Commissioners, becomes the first Chairman of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA), elected on July 20 at the JRA's first organizational meeting.
|
|
|
In what Pennsylvania city did McDonald's Big Mac make its first appearance?
|
|
|
Pennsylvania Wilds Resource Center
Some of our nation's best outdoor experiences can be found in the 12½ counties that encompass the Pennsylvania Wilds. With Americans annually spending $600 billion on outdoor gear and related trips, the Wilds represents a significant opportunity for economic development. Small businesses that want to make the most of this opportunity will find the help they need at this web site.
|
|
|
It's official: Tree trimming just went Bluetooth. This wireless speaker looks like a festive Christmas ornament and connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
New Signs will Help You Find Your Way Around the Susquehanna Greenway
River-related, recreation, and historical resources abound within the 22 counties of the Susquehanna Greenway and, as the result of a $50,000 mini-grant program, those resources will be easier than ever to locate and identify. The program was carried out by the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) and resulted in grants ranging from $1,200 to $10,000
 | | One of the Greenway's interpretive signs, in front of the Rupert Covered Bridge in Columbia County. |
distributed to 10 communities and recreation organizations. The mini-grants leveraged an additional $71,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.
Click here for a full list of the grant recipients and their projects.
The Susquehanna Greenway Signage and Interpretation program focused on interpretive planning and signage projects to improve the experience of people as they enjoy the walking, biking, and water trails; community parks; and river towns within the Susquehanna Greenway. Grants were awarded to 1) develop plans to interpret and promote community resources and 2) produce signs based on Susquehanna Greenway Sign Design Guidelines. Funds for the program originated with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
"The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is pleased to partner with the DCNR to award $50,000 in mini-grants to community partners along the Susquehanna," said Trish Carothers, Executive Director, SGP, "We have a vision for the Susquehanna Greenway with over 500 miles of connected trails, towns, and conserved land."
The Greenway helps to protect water quality, encourages healthy lifestyles, and inspires stewardship and civic pride in places where people love to live, work, play, and visit. Additional information on the mini-grant program is available from Zach Pyle, Greenway River Towns Coordinator, tel. 570-522-7339.
|
|
Millheim Pursues Energy Independence
With music, balloons, refreshments and energy experts, the rural Centre County community of Millheim kicked off its community-wide energy conservation project earlier this fall. A crowd of about 50 filled the local fire hall where they learned about the project ─ Renewing Millheim's Energy Independence ─ and heard from Borough officials and individuals who have been involved
 | | The kick-off event was an opportunity to interact and learn about the project. |
with similar efforts.
Millheim's project is based on the New Berlin Energy Independence Project in Union County that resulted in many residents and organizations reporting annual energy use reductions of 30% to 70%. Susan Chlebowski, who served on the New Berlin project's advisory committee, urged the Millheim crowd to "...soar using New Berlin's experience and SEDA-COG's assistance."
"Households in Millheim will realize energy and cost savings and distinguish our town as a model community for other projects within the state and beyond," Millheim Borough Council President Al Ilgen told the gathering. "This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for our community, and I am confident as I look around the room that this project launch is the beginning of a successful and impactful project that will retain wealth in our small community through energy savings."
Even before the official kickoff in Millheim, many community volunteers had been canvassing the Borough, going door-to-door, telling their neighbors about the project. Household energy use information was collected, including the type of fuel used and methods of heating and cooling the house. "This information is vital," said Stacy Richards, Director, SEDA-COG Energy Resource Center, "to ensure the technical assistance we provide is tailored to the community's energy reduction needs." The Energy Resource Center is coordinating the Millheim effort, as it did in New Berlin.
Through the door-to-door effort, residents are learning about energy audits available through the project at a greatly reduced cost to them. Rather than the usual $350-$650 market-based fee for energy audits, Millheim's residents will pay only $50 as a result of partnerships and resources being provided to Millheim through this project.
The Energy Resource Center has contracted with Envinity, Inc. in State College and Your Home Energy Testing and Drafting in Mill Hall to provide comprehensive energy audits to Millheim households as an important first step in reducing energy use.
For more information, e-mail ERC Director Stacy Richards or call 570-524-4991.
Read more about the Millheim energy project. View photos on Facebook. Learn more about the SEDA-COG Energy Resource Center.
|
|
|
Bloomsburg Flood Protection Project - Focus Shifts to Construction
Bloomsburg is ready. In February 2013, plans were announced for a flood protection system, estimated to cost $29 million and primarily to protect two major employers in the Town ─ Autoneum North America and Windsor Foods. Three public meetings and several design modifications later, construction is about to begin. Bids will be accepted until late this month with contracts tentatively awarded in February.
The local residents' main concern now is the project's potential for creating disturbance in the community. However, county and community leaders, as well as the project's
 | | County Commissioners, project engineers, and SEDA-COG participated in a public meeting at Bloomsburg High School, responding to residents' concerns. |
engineers and SEDA-COG are taking steps to minimize disruption during construction, which is expected to take 15-20 months. SEDA-COG is overseeing the project on behalf of the Columbia County Commissioners.
Essentially the project will be a mile-long U-shaped flood wall, running along and in between West 5th and West 11th streets. For coordination purposes, the project will be managed as two construction sites, one on the Autoneum or West 5th Street side; and the West 11th Street side, adjacent to the former Windsor site (Windsor closed its Bloomsburg facility in 2013. The site will be protected to maintain the potential for industrial development).
Two specific traffic routes will be designated for construction vehicles, minimizing traffic congestion and safety concerns. Both routes will circumvent downtown Bloomsburg. There will also be two separate staging areas for materials and heavy equipment, and construction will be limited to Monday through Saturday, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. As for construction during the Bloomsburg Fair and other major events at the fairgrounds, it will be suspended on the Autoneum side of the project during those periods.
Once the project is complete, residents will see a number of changes, in addition to the obvious. A new West 11th St. will be constructed along the Windsor site and a bit beyond, while old West 11th St. becomes an access road into the industrial site. Reconstruction is also planned along portions of West 6th St. and Magee Ave. West 5th St. will be re-aligned, eliminating slight twists and turns in the street.
Contractors have until December 22 to submit their bids. It won't be long before construction is underway.
Read more about the Bloomsburg Flood Protection Project. View photos on Facebook. Learn more about SEDA-COG's Community Development program.
|
|
Financing News . . .
A Columbia County couple has purchased nearly 21 acres of additional farmland with the help of a Small Business First loan through SEDA-COG. The additional property has enabled Winston and Deborah Jarrard to expand their Christmas tree and farm operation, located in Roaring Creek Township. The project includes financing through AgChoice Farm Credit and cash. The Jarrards started their Christmas tree business 31 years ago on 39 acres. All their trees are sold wholesale to long-time customers.
$ $ $
SEDA-COG has finalized a loan of $200,000 to Susquehanna Marble & Granite. The Montoursville company has constructed a 7,500 sq. ft. building, about a mile from its previous location. In addition to the Small Business First loan through SEDA-COG, financing was provided by First National Bank of Pennsylvania and cash equity. The new building includes a showroom, machine shop, inventory warehouse, and offices. Susquehanna Marble, founded in 2007, had been renting its former site.
$ $ $
Is your firm eligible for an SBA 504 loan through SEDA-COG? How can the funds be used? Find answers to these questions and more at our new SBA 504 blog.
For more information on SEDA-COG's Business Development Financing programs, contact John Reichard at 570-524-4491, ext. 7251.
|
|
Byte-sized News . . .
SEDA-COG has contacted State Senators and Representatives in Central Pennsylvania, urging them to voice their opposition to Verizon Pennsylvania's plans to deregulate telecommunications in the state. A copy of the letter is here.
# # #
Funding remains available to help companies in the region train employees and identify qualified job seekers. If you're interested, step one is completion of this Training Needs Assessment to help ensure the right investments are being made on behalf of Central Pennsylvania's businesses and job seekers.
# # #
Two Bradford County communities ─ Athens and Sayre ─ have been designated as Susquehanna Greenway River Towns.
# # #
The 2015 Governor's ImPAct Awards nomination process is underway. Nominations for the PREP Central Region will be accepted until January 15. If you are working with or know of a company that has had a significant impact on the region, they can be nominated in one of five categories. Click here for details or contact Betsy Lockwood.
# # #
Beginning in March, the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency will offer Leadership in Strengths-based Family Work, which helps organizations refine or implement practices, procedures, and relationships with families, staff, and community partners. Contact Robin Barbour for more information.
|
 |
|
Upcoming Events & Activities
Click on the date for more information
Government Contracting Seminars
Harrisburg ─ Jan. 15 & 28
Lewistown ─ Jan. 13
State College ─ Jan. 8
SEDA-COG Board of Directors
Lewisburg ─ Jan. 28
SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority
Lewisburg ─ Jan. 14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
