DNS Admin – Page 68 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG Secures $150,000 Grant Funding for Rural Broadband

Posted on May 1, 2020 by DNS Admin

Lewisburg – A $150,000 grant was awarded to SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to supplement its ongoing high-speed internet access efforts to three rural counties.

The U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant will help fund wireless networks in Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry counties where it’s not financially feasible for internet service providers to reach on their own.

John Brown, SEDA-COG’s executive director, said this is a critical service needed especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thankful this grant award comes during the time it is most needed, with many people working from home, and businesses needing this essential internet service,” Brown said. “That’s why we’re here – to meet businesses and communities’ needs through every type of economic reality.”

Scott Kramer, SEDA-COG’s principal Information Technology specialist, said reducing the cost of providing broadband helps close the gaps for rural areas.

“The key is to incentivize the internet service providers to provide broadband services to our rural areas,” Kramer said.

Based on meetings with counties and Federal Communications Commission data, the target areas for the wireless networks include the Village of Honey Grove in Juniata County, the South River Road area (southwest of Mcveytown) in Mifflin County, and the Horse Valley Road area in Perry County.

The project will incentivize internet service providers in expanding their service to speeds of 25/3 or better to at least five businesses and 210 households. It will help retain 18 jobs and create two new jobs.

SEDA-COG will provide a total of $147,000 per county to internet service providers from the ARC grant and low-interest revolving loans. Per county, the ARC grant will be used as $47,000 reimbursable grants for internet service providers and the loans total $95,000 from the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities Program.

SEDA-COG published the request for proposals on March 6 and collected proposals from internet service providers today, May 1.

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.

Lewisburg Business Secures $18K Contract with SEDA-COG Partnership

Posted on April 30, 2020 by DNS Admin

LEWISBURG – In a time when businesses are struggling to survive because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CSSI Technologies Inc. is expanding their business to selling to the government in partnership with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

The Lewisburg-based mobile computing hardware and software company recently secured a 3-year contract of $18,472 to sell software to the Philadelphia-based office of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

The software, “Bartender,” is used for designing, printing, and managing barcodes, RFID tags and documents. It is the best-in-class software that allows companies to design and manage their barcode labels.

SEDA-COG worked with CSSI so they can sell to the state and federal governments, involving multiple registration processes, certifications, trainings, and bid notifications. This included obtaining a PA COSTARS and PA Invitation to Qualify contract, which will position CSSI to sell to local and state government agencies.

CSSI President Joe Tosolt said SEDA-COG made the process simple for them and described it as a big “win” in these tumultuous times.

“SEDA-COG spent a lot of time helping us through this process,” Tosolt said. “Particularly in this era right now, when COVID is causing havoc on businesses, having another source of sales is essential.”

Tosolt said Robert Brown, director of SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), was quick to respond to their needs and expertly guided them through the process.

“Trying to get into government contracting from the outside is not intuitive and Rob provided a lot of guidance. He has been extremely responsive to us. It would have been very difficult to navigate it otherwise. We’re thankful for support and help and responsiveness from SEDA-COG especially in this time,” Tosolt said.

Brown said SEDA-COG, as a community and economic development agency, empowers businesses to prosper – and that many businesses aren’t aware that selling to the government is the nation’s largest marketplace.

“Businesses have a great opportunity to expand and diversify their sales by partnering with us to sell to the government. Each year, the federal government alone purchases over $400 billion in products and services from businesses. We can help your business tap into that opportunity,” Brown said.

Serving the Mid-Atlantic region with a staff of 12, CSSI powers business productivity with the smart integration of mobile computing, barcoding/RFID, and customized business software. They specialize in working closely with each customer to create high-impact solutions in demanding environments such as warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

“CSSI powers productivity by applying technology tools to make businesses more efficient and productive. We do everything from process consulting to custom programming to integration so that our customers get the maximum bang out of their investment,” Tosolt said.

SEDA-COG’s PTAC helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information about the SEDA-COG PTAC, visit www.seda-cog.org/ptac/ or contact Brown at rbrown@seda-cog.org.

The PTAC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency and by a grant through the Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP), from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

SEDA-COG Offers Businesses New Loan Program

Posted on April 24, 2020 by DNS Admin

Businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in 11 central Pennsylvania counties now have another funding option – a new loan program established by SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

No payments are due in the first six months for the new SEDA-COG EDA COVID-19 Loan Fund. There is a limited pool of funds available – $400,000 – so interested businesses should apply now. Funds are available until they are exhausted.

SEDA-COG Executive Director John Brown said SEDA-COG worked hard to secure these funds through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and thanked them.

“We know businesses are hurting and we are using creative solutions to help meet the current needs in this ever-changing economic climate,” Brown said. “As the local community and economic development agency, we are thrilled to partner with the EDA to further assist our region.”

Doug Wilburn, director of SEDA-COG’s Business Finance program, worked with the EDA to get these funds reallocated for a broad array of businesses since they were originally limited to specific business sectors.

“This loan fund was reallocated by SEDA-COG in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The partnership of SEDA-COG and the EDA will give businesses in our region some relief. SEDA-COG has heard the voice of our communities and we will continue to look for ways to help local businesses through these trying times,” Wilburn said.

The loans are for businesses in SEDA-COG’s region of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties.

For-profit businesses can apply for loans of at least $10,000 with an interest rate of 3.25%.

Funds can be used for working capital and can be disbursed based on past working capital expenses.

There is a $500 underwriting fee and a $100 filing fee. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/covid-19/ or contact SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department at cwca@seda-cog.org.

Public Hearing Notice: Union County Community Development Block Grant

Posted on April 20, 2020July 17, 2020 by DNS Admin

RUN DATE: April 22, 2020
CONTACT PERSON: Mitzi Gallagher-Long, (570) 524-4491, ext. 7279

UNION COUNTY AND
UNION COUNTY ON BEHALF OF:
KELLY TOWNSHIP AND
LEWISBURG BOROUGH
FFY 2020
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP NOTICE

Union County Commissioners plan to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. For Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020, the County’s estimated allocation is $240,000. The County will also include in its application CDBG funds estimated at $105,000 on behalf of Kelly Township, and $108,000 on behalf of Lewisburg Borough.

A Public Hearing and Project Development Workshop will be held on May 19, 2020, at 6:00 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 workshop as follows: To access via web video, type the link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/8383951780. To access via telephone dial +1(470)8692200 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, ext. 7279 at least five days in advance. A public hearing pertaining specifically to Kelly Township will be held on June 9th at 6:30 PM at the Kelly Township Building*. A public hearing pertaining specifically to the Lewisburg Borough will be held on June 16, 2020 at 6:30 PM at the Lewisburg Borough Building*. *Note that if federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19 are still in place and public meetings can not be held in Kelly Township and Lewisburg Borough as scheduled, the hearings will be held virtually. The same video link information and call in information listed above for the Union County workshop will be used to access the meetings in Kelly Township and Lewisburg Borough. The virtual links will only be used if the public meetings can not take place.

Proposed project activities must meet one or more of three objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons; prevent or eliminate slums or blight; and/or alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of the community. Union County Commissioners will commit not less than 70% of the total funds, after administration costs, to projects which principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons (LMI). Housing, community, and economic development activities are eligible; examples include housing rehab, demolition or improvement of blighted property and public works projects. A list of eligible activities can be found in Section 105(s) of the Housing and Community Development Act (P.L. 93-383) as amended.

The purpose of the Public Hearings and Project Development Workshop is to discuss the CDBG Program, receive public input on proposed activities and/or proposals for new activities. The Union County Commissioners also wish to receive public comment on potential environmental impacts, the previous use of CDBG funds, and the County’s Three-Year Community Development Plan. Interested applicants should contact the Union County Commissioners as soon as possible for funding consideration, but in no case later than May 19, 2020 at which time a public hearing is scheduled.

No displacement is anticipated, and every effort will be made to avoid or minimize displacement and relocation. Should displacement be required, the applicant is responsible for replacing all low- and moderate-income housing units that are demolished or converted. At this hearing, Mitzi Gallagher-Long will disclose the types and levels of assistance that it would make available if persons were to be displaced by CDBG-funded activities.

Union County does not discriminate in access to, participation in, or treatment or employment in its federally funded programs or services. In the event the public believes that discrimination, denied accessibility, or denied equal opportunity has occurred, Union County Section 504 officer, Chief Clerk, may be reached at (570) 524-8634.

Technical assistance will be provided upon request to any groups or persons, especially LMI persons or their representatives, when developing proposals intending to use CDBG funds. The 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 Mitzi Gallagher-Long at SEDA-COG, 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD to discuss your needs. 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.

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Traductores estarán disponibles en las reunions públicas por petición.