Day: December 18, 2020

Lycoming County has assisted 252 local entities during the pandemic this year, and has allocated all of its $10.2 million COVID funds. The grant program is closed.

The county had received a $10.2 million COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

County Commissioner Scott Metzger said the county assisted various sectors with the funds.

“We are honored to have assisted so many different entities in our county during this incredibly difficult year, and hope it offers some relief to those most affected,” Metzger said. “We also thank our dedicated staff for the enormous amount of time they put into helping their community with these funds during this time.”

The following is how the funds were spent:

·       $3,010,200 to 11 school districts

·       $1,533,290 to 48 nonprofits

·       $1,639,374 to 176 local businesses

·       $1,569,336 to county expenditures

·       $231,268 to three alternative learning centers

·       $207,407 to five fire/EMS companies

·       $145,538 to nine municipal entities

The $1.9 million remainder of the funds will be used for county government COVID-related expenditures.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) assisted the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

As a community and economic development agency, 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.

Union County has been awarded a $300,000 grant to install a publicly accessible bathroom and hand washing facility at Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg.

County Commissioner Chairman Preston Boop said they are pleased with the grant award and noted that the restroom is needed at the park.

“The Commissioners are pleased that Lewisburg Borough, working through SEDA-COG with the county’s support, was awarded this grant,” Boop said. “The addition of public restrooms at Hufnagel Park is a needed and welcome enhancement of this downtown park that is enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages.”

The grant is from the Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding to help communities address challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time the county has been awarded a competitive CDBG in a decade.  Lewisburg Borough also will use CDBG-CV Entitlement funds and local funding as part of this project.

The park has a playground and a gazebo used for community events but lacks a public restroom. With increased outdoor recreation during the pandemic, the park is getting more use. It also is near the downtown district of Market Street. The grant will allow park visitors along with downtown shoppers and diners access to a public bathroom to allow hand washing and sanitizing to help stop the community spread of COVID-19.

The new bathroom facilities will be built in compliance with the borough’s floodplain ordinance, designed to be accessible to all visitors, and constructed to service the large number of people who come to the park for events, school trips/classes, and recreation.

Lewisburg Borough Manager William Lowthert described the restroom’s importance, especially at this time.

“A bathroom facility in Hufnagle Park has been a priority of Lewisburg Borough Council for many years,” Lowthert said. “With the onset of COVID-19, the ability for our visitors to have easy access to a public restroom and hand washing facility became even more important.”

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) assisted the county with its application and is administering the grant.

SEDA-COG’s Community Development program administers 14 CDBG contracts for 28 communities. Over 35 years, the program has secured $120 billion for over 1,000 projects with its 12 dedicated staff.

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.