July 2021 – SEDA Council of Governments

NOTICE OF SECOND HEARING ON PROPOSED USE OF UNION COUNTY’S FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR (FFY) 2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS

Posted on July 27, 2021August 6, 2021 by DNS Admin

Notice is hereby given that Union County and the entitlement communities of Lewisburg Borough and Kelly Township will conduct a public hearing at 2:00 PM on August 5, 2021 at the Union County Government Center, Commissioners Board Room, 155 North 15th Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837. The purpose of the hearing is to obtain citizen views and comments on Union County’s proposed use of $473,034 in FFY 2021 CDBG funds, including Entitlement allocations, and to receive any comments or grievances regarding Union County’s CDBG funds. This meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities and/or for persons with Limited English Proficiency. If you wish to attend and require special accommodations due to disability or Limited English Proficiency, please notify the CDBG Administrator, Mitzi Gallagher-Long, at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing at 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org to make such arrangements.

Based on the amount of funds to be received, Union County, along with Lewisburg Borough and Kelly Township, propose to allocate CDBG funds as follows:

Union County

1. Mifflinburg Woodland Estates Sewer – $77,500
2. Buffalo Township Black Run Pump Station – $106,290
3. UCHA Housing Rehab – $25,000
4. Administration – $42,100

Total – $250,890

Lewisburg Borough

5. Limestone Run Flood Resiliency – $94,101
6. Administration – $18,600

Total – $112,701

Kelly Township

7. Zeigler Road Sewer Line Extension – $91,343
8. Administration – $18,100

Total – $109,443

No displacement of any persons are proposed. At least 70% of funds will benefit low- to moderate-income residents.

The deadline to receive written comments on Union County’s proposed use of CDBG and/or any complaints or grievances regarding Union County’s CDBG funds is 4 PM, August 23, 2021, and must be forwarded to:

Mitzi Gallagher Long
SEDA-COG Project Coordinator
201 Furnace Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837
(or at the numbers or email above)

Additional information on the public hearing, the CDBG program, and/or how to express any complaints or grievances regarding Union County’s CDBG funds may be obtained by contacting: Mitzi Gallagher-Long, at the above contact information. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

On or about October 28, 2021, Union County plans to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The application documents will be available for public inspection at the Union County Government Center, Chief Clerk’s Office, 155 North 15th Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837, M-F 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. In no case shall the County Commissioners disclose any information concerning the financial status of any program participant(s) which may be required to document program eligibility or benefit. Furthermore, the County Commissioners shall not disclose any information which may, in the opinion of the County Commissioners, be deemed of a confidential nature.

The Union County Commissioners will consider approval of the CDBG application submittal at the regular public meeting to be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at the Union County Government Center, 155 North 15th Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

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Centre County Commissioners provide a new grant for Centre County small businesses

Posted on July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 by DNS Admin

A new COVID Relief Grant for eligible Centre County small businesses will open on July 20, 2021. The Centre County Commissioners have allocated $3,000,000 of American Rescue Plan funding for a small business grant program. The small business grant program funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The Centre County Commissioners expect the first checks to be mailed to small businesses in August.

Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said, “The Commissioners are urging businesses to apply as soon as possible. We have allocated additional funds to help Centre County businesses get back in full operation after the disastrous effects of the pandemic.”

SEDA-COG will be assisting the Centre County Commissioners by receiving and reviewing the applications. Businesses can apply at SEDA-COG’s website starting July 20, 2021, until the funds are exhausted. A full listing of requirements can be found on the website. If a business has filed their 2019 and 2020 federal business taxes, the grant application can be completed quickly.

Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG’s executive director said, “We know that small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, yet they’ve been negatively affected by the pandemic. That’s why we are so pleased to be helping the Centre County Commissioners collect and review applications to help these small businesses.” Grant amounts are in $2,000 increments up to a maximum of $20,000 and the funds will assist businesses in covering the business’ operating expenses incurred in 2021. Operating expenses include, but are not limited to payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, costs of goods, supplies, raw materials, etc.

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, being in Centre County, having fewer than 500 full-time employees, must be in business at the time of application, and plan to stay in business until at least December 31, 2021.

The grant program was created from American Rescue Plan funding through the U.S. Department of Treasury.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG Grants Manager Betsy Lockwood at 570-522-7265 or elockwood@seda-cog.org.

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.

Port Trevorton restaurant opens using COVID-19 and local bank loans

Posted on July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 by DNS Admin

Shaffer Restaurant and Soft Serve in Port Trevorton was purchased in December 2020 and the restaurant’s new name is Lauver’s Family Traditions Restaurant. Charlene Lauver is the new owner and operator of the business. Lauver’s Family Traditions Restaurant opened on January 5, 2021. Charlene partnered with Northumberland National Bank and SEDA-COG for the purchase of Shaffer Restaurant and Soft Serve. The restaurant industry has been hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, restaurants were forced to operate at 50% capacity which qualified the SEDA-COG loan to fall under the federal Economic Development Administration’s (EDA)-COVID-19 eligibility.

Tom Rall of Northumberland National Bank was able to connect Charlene with local resources and made the introduction to SEDA-COG for funding. “We were pleased to partner with SEDA-COG and support a new local business while reducing the overall cost on interest for the life of the loan. We’re thrilled that everyone worked hard to help Charlene’s restaurant meet the timeline for the Sales Agreement.” The Northumberland National Bank carried the SEDA-COG portion of the project until the EDA –COVID funds could be disbursed.

Ms. Lauver was very happy with the SEDA-COG EDA COVID-19 loan’s low interest rate that is fixed for the life of the loan. “The savings on interest is a great help to my business,” Lauver said.

Ms. Lauver has over 12 years of experience as an owner and operator of a restaurant. She previously owned another restaurant until 2018, when she sold the business. When asked why she wanted to get back in the restaurant business, Ms. Lauver said “After taking a two-year break and working for other people, you miss the feeling of contentment and all of the customers.”

Lauver’s Family Traditions Restaurant is a full-service restaurant and ice cream stand. For people who would rather eat at home or have a nice picnic, they also offer take out service. They can cater your event as well. Currently the restaurant is only open Thursday – Sunday serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also offer daily specials. The Sunday lunch special is a home cooked style meal. You can check them out on facebook or at https://lauvers-family-traditions-restaurant-llc.business.site/. For take-out, call the restaurant at (570) 374-2840.

For more information about SEDA-COG’s loans, please contact John Reichard at jreichard@seda-cog.org or Mike Morrison at mmorrison@seda-cog.org. To learn more about The Northumberland National Bank’s business lending, visit https://norrybank.com/business/loans/

Final Notice: Public Hearing on Proposed Centre County CDBG Projects FFY 2021

Posted on July 16, 2021July 23, 2021 by DNS Admin

FINAL NOTICE

Notice is herby given that Centre County and the entitlement community of Bellefonte Borough, will conduct a public hearing on July 21, 2021, at 6:00 PM, in the Willowbank Office Building, 420 Holmes Street, Room #146, Bellefonte. The purpose of the hearing is to obtain citizen views, comments, complaints, or grievances on the proposed projects and use of FFY 2021 CDBG funds. This hearing is accessible to individuals with disabilities and/or for persons with Limited English Proficiency. If you wish to attend and require special accommodations due to disability or Limited English Proficiency, please notify Mitzi Gallagher-Long, SEDA-COG at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing at 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org to make such arrangements.

Based on the amount of funds received, Centre County, along with Bellefonte Borough, propose to allocate CDBG funds to the following activities:

CENTRE COUNTY
1. Haines-Aaronsburg Water Well Rehab $128,500
2. Penn Township Water Storage Tank Rehabilitation $117,000
3. Eagle Creek Water and Sewer Project $52,392
4. Administration $62,000

TOTAL $359,892

BELLEFONTE BOROUGH
5. Streetscape Safety Improvements $6,977
6. Administration $20,000

TOTAL $116,977

No displacement of any persons are proposed. At least 70% of the funds will benefit low- to moderate-income residents.

The deadline to receive written comments on the proposed use of CDBG funds and/or any complaints or grievances regarding the CDBG funds is 4:00 PM, August 9, 2021, and must be forwarded to:

Mitzi Gallagher-Long
SEDA-COG, Project Coordinator
201 Furnace Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837

,or at the numbers or email above. Additional information on the public hearing, the CDBG program, and/or how to express any complaints or grievances regarding the CDBG funds may be obtained by contacting Mitzi Gallagher-Long at the above. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

On or about October 28, 2021, Centre County plans to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for FFY 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The application documents will be available for public inspection in the Centre County Planning Office at the Willowbank Building, M-F, 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM. In no case shall the County Commissioners disclose any information concerning the financial status of any program participant(s) which may be required to document program eligibility or benefit. Furthermore, the County Commissioners shall not disclose any information which may, in the opinion of the County Commissioners, be deemed of a confidential nature.

The Centre County Commissioners will consider approval of the FFY 2021 CDBG application submittal, at the regular public Commissioners Meeting, held on August 10, 2021, 10:00 AM, at the Willowbank building.

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