Author: Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – ClearWater Conservancy has been awarded $2,000,000 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the ClearWater Community Conservation Center Ecotourism, Agritourism, and Agribusiness Hub project.

The project includes construction of a new, 9,350-square-foot community center in Centre County, which will serve as a community space and hub for visitor information and local conservation efforts. This new center aims to foster community engagement and support local conservation, while contributing to economic growth by creating five new jobs and drawing thousands of visitors by 2029.

“ClearWater staff are so excited to move into this new, permanent home in the heart of the Spring Creek Watershed, where we can continue to grow in service to the community while building our volunteer base and providing a center for on-the-ground conservation education,” said ClearWater Conservancy Executive Director Elizabeth Crisfield.

The center will include a visitor information kiosk, training opportunities for businesses in agritourism and conservation best practices, guided tours for visitors to local natural sites, mine land reclamation and acid mine drainage remediation efforts, and development of local trails through the Conservancy’s Rothrock Trail Alliance.

ClearWater Conservancy applied for the grant last summer with assistance from Dane Higbee, principal at Delta Development Group, Inc and Betsy Lockwood, director of project development and grants at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG). The grant was awarded in October.

This award is part of a recently announced $68.2 million award package supporting 65 projects in 188 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC and the SEDA-COG Local Development District to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

“ARC’s POWER initiative supports coal-impacted communities’ preparation for the next phase of Appalachia’s economy, while ensuring that residents have a say in the course of their own futures” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The investments announced in this round of POWER will help train workers, advance new industries, and build upon the progress already being made toward a brighter future full of economic opportunity for our region.”

Including today’s award package, ARC has invested over $484.7 million in 564 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties since POWER was established in 2015. ARC’s investments have helped create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs and prepare nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism, and other growing industries.

ClearWater Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust and conservation organization ensuring central Pennsylvania is beautiful, healthy and vibrant. They work alongside the community to connect, protect, restore and steward our natural resources.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

Lewisburg, PA – Penn Highland’s Community College expanded into Centre County, opening a 5,500 sq. ft. educational facility in Bellefonte Borough last August.

Earlier this month, the college was awarded a $49,537 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to support this expansion. The funds will be used to purchase equipment and furniture, enhancing the educational experience for 300-400 students. Additionally, the college aims to train 100 incumbent workers, enhancing their skill sets, over the next three years.

“We want to emphasize the positive impact this grant will have as we work to provide new types of quality, affordable educational opportunities to students in and around Centre County,” stated Omar Strohm, Associate Vice President of Finance. “We want our students to have the most impactful resources available at their disposal.”

The Appalachian Region Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC and the SEDA-COG Local Development District to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

The expansion of Penn Highlands into Centre County is a unique opportunity to improve access to higher education, particularly for economically disadvantaged individuals, first-generation students, working adults, parents, and those needing academic support. Penn Highlands’ mission is to provide accessible, affordable, and quality educational opportunities to the communities it serves. While other postsecondary institutions exist in Centre County, Penn Highlands complements—not competes with—them by offering unique programs and affordable pathways to degrees and certificates.

Penn Highlands Centre County emphasizes a select range of courses and academic programs, some designated as High Priority Occupations for Centre County, ensuring students are equipped for in-demand careers that align with local employers’ needs and boost the region’s economic growth.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is committed to delivering accessible and affordable education to a diverse student population, promoting both personal and professional development. Penn Highlands offers over 40 associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas to its entire service area and beyond. With options for in-person, blended, and online classes, students enjoy the flexibility needed to transition smoothly into the workforce or continue their education. Beyond credit programs, Penn Highlands provides various certificates, non-credit courses, and customized workforce development training, supporting workforce expansion.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

Lewisburg, PA – The Screen Arts Institute has received a $400,000 ARC POWER grant to help fund the launch of its Broadcast Arts Initiative in Shamokin.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative focuses federal resources on supporting communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plants, and related supply chain industries due to the evolving landscape of America’s energy production.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC and the SEDA-COG Local Development District to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

The Screen Arts Institute applied for the grant over the summer with the help of Linda Sterling of the Northumberland County Planning and Economic Development office and Betsy Lockwood, director of project development and grants at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), receiving the funds in October.

SEDA-COG will administer the grant. “It’s not something any one person wants to take on,” stated Mark Stansberry, founder and director of the Screen Arts Institute. “They will take care of reports, procurement of equipment, and allocation of requests. They’re the major liaison.”

Shamokin, once a thriving coal town, has faced significant economic challenges since the collapse of its coal industry, resulting in high poverty rates, limited opportunities for residents, and a high dropout rate that leaves marginalized young adults slipping through the cracks.

With this grant and an additional $400,000 in matching funds, bringing the total project to $800,000, the Screen Arts Institute will launch the Broadcast Arts Initiative. This new program that will open doors to creative careers for at-risk youth and adults in the greater Shamokin region, contributing to the area’s growing revitalization efforts.

“This has been 30 years in the making,” said Stansberry, “I see the potential and I want to add to it.”

The Initiative will offer education and mentorship to at-risk populations 17 years and older, focusing on creative employment and entrepreneurship through visual art courses and hands-on production experience in freelance work.

Courses will be taught by instructors who are artists making a living in the discipline they teach and include animation, digital illustration, graphic design, and mobile game building.

Students will engage in the Screen Arts Institute’s art, video, and mobile app projects, intern in pro bono work for regional nonprofits and small businesses, and design Shamokin-themed souvenirs that will be sold. These experiences will provide opportunities for students to launch their own careers in art, video, and app development within the growing remote and freelance economy.

The Initiative’s first-year goal is to produce 20 new businesses which will start the trend of replacing lost coal industry jobs through creative entrepreneurship. Additionally, the program expects to benefit 60 students, with 30 students graduating and attaining certificates within the next three years.

SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.