August 4, 2020 – SEDA Council of Governments

POSTING DATES: August 5 – August 11, 2020
CONTACT: Nicole Hogan, (570) 524-4491

FINAL NOTICE

On August 31, 2020, Centre County plans to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for 2020 Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) funds. The amount of the 2020 CDBG-CV funds for Centre County is $166,152, and $66,574 for the Borough of Bellefonte. Based on this amount, the Centre County Commissioners , along with the Bellefonte Borough Council propose to allocate CDBG funds to the following activities:

CENTRE COUNTY

Emergency Services Assistance Program $ 40,875
Centre Volunteers in Medicine $ 20,000
Centre Safe $ 10,000
Centre County rent/mortgage/utility assistance program $ 35,377
Small Business Assistance Program $ 30,000
SEDA-COG Administration $ 16,600
Centre County Administration $ 13,300

TOTAL $ 166,152

BELLEFONTE BOROUGH

8. Bellefonte Utility and Rent Assistance Program $ 59,974
9. Administration $ 6,600

TOTAL $ 66,574

A Public Hearing to receive comments on the proposed use of these funds will be held on August 11, 2020, at 7:00 PM. Keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19, this meeting will take place as a virtual video web and tele conference. The public is invited to observe and participate in the hearing as follows: To access via web video, type the link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/8383951780. To access via telephone dial +1(470)869-2200 and enter Meeting ID: 838 395 1780. The meeting will be recorded. The meeting platform is accessible to persons with disabilities. If accommodations are needed for those with special needs related to language, sight, or hearing, please call (570)524-4491 at least five days in advance. Interested applicants should contact the Centre County Commissioners as soon as possible for funding consideration, but in no case later than August 11, 2020. Following the Public Hearing, the Centre County Commissioners will consider the approval of the CDBG-CV application at the August 13, 2020 Commissioners Meeting.

The Center County Commissioners will strive to make all programs and activities accessible to the learning, mobility, vision, hearing, and language-impaired persons. If you have a disability or limited English proficiency and require an auxiliary aid or accommodations, please contact Nicole Hogan at SEDA-COG, 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD, to discuss your needs at least five days in advance. Translators will be available upon request.

Any complaints should be written and submitted to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at SEDA-COG. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

Übersetzer sind für die öffentliche Sitzung auf Anfrage erhältlich.

可應要求提供翻譯服務

Переводчики будут доступны по запросу.

More relief for small businesses is on its way with additional loans through SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), a regional community and economic development agency in Lewisburg.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded SEDA-COG $6.3 million from the CARES Act.

“The CARES Act succeeded in supporting employers and employees in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09). This “announcement is great news for small businesses in the 9th District and across the Commonwealth. CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants will provide necessary capital for Pennsylvania businesses to safely reopen and help grow our economy.”

SEDA-COG Executive Director John Brown said the EDA is investing in SEDA-COG to respond to this crisis.

“We are pleased that EDA made this investment in SEDA-COG, a high-performing, regionally-focused agency committed to helping our region respond to this unprecedented challenge by using creative solutions to help meet the current needs of businesses and communities in this ever-changing economic climate,” Brown said.

SEDA-COG Business Finance Director Doug Wilburn said businesses’ needs have been heard and SEDA-COG and the EDA are committed to working to meet those needs.

“The EDA funding award to SEDA-COG will provide loans for businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the SEDA-COG region. We know there is hard work to be done and we are committed to doing our part to help alleviate the acute pain from the pandemic in our region,” Wilburn said.

The funding award will capitalize a new revolving loan fund (RLF) to alleviate sudden and severe economic issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for eligible small businesses in SEDA-COG’s region of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties.

Businesses can apply for loans of at least $10,000. No payments are due in the first six months. There is a $500 underwriting fee and a $100 filing fee. Interested business owners should visit the website below for the application materials and send completed applications to SEDA-COG at the email address below.

During the COVID-19 crisis, unemployment rates have increased exponentially. Small businesses that were unable to operate remotely closed. Among the top issues identified during this crisis by the businesses was an immediate need for capital to keep businesses open.

In response to this need, SEDA-COG previously allocated $400,000 from an existing EDA award and this $6.3 million is in addition to that prior award.

For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/covid-19/ or contact SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department at eda@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Final Notice: Centre County CDBG-CV and Bellefonte Borough

SEDA-COG Awarded $6.3 Million for Small Business Relief