Author: Nancy Osborn

ARC Accepting Applications for Summer Study Programs in Entrepreneurship and STEM for Region’s Middle and High School Students

ARC Accepting Applications for Summer Study Programs in Entrepreneurship and STEM for Region’s Middle and High School Students

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Applications are due December 3rd for Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy and Appalachian STEM Academy.  

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2025 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) opened applications for two summer study opportunities: the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) and the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge. Both programs, planned for summer 2026 and subject to available funding, are free intensive learning experiences specifically for the Appalachian Region’s high school and/or middle school students and teachers.  

The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA), developed in partnership with Appalachian State University and STEM West, prepares the next generation of regional entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers. High school students from across Appalachia will be selected to participate in a comprehensive learning curriculum designed to sharpen business and economic development acumen and develop skills essential for entrepreneurial success. The students will have the opportunity to develop and implement business ideas, refine and prototype those ideas, and deliver a pitch presentation for an audience of entrepreneurs. AEA will be held from July 11-24, 2026, at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. 

The Appalachian STEM Academy is a hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields. Hosted by  Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this program is a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the Appalachian Region. High school participants will work with award-winning scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and both high school and middle school students will conduct guided group science, math, computer science, and technology research projects. High school teachers will work with science practitioners to develop STEM-related curriculum. Many students gain their first exposure to applied science and STEM education through this experience.  STEM Academy sessions will take place on the following dates: 

  • Middle School STEM Academy Session 1: July 11-17, 2026 
  • Middle School STEM Academy Session 2: July 18-24, 2026  
  • High School STEM Academy: July 11-24, 2026 

Applications for both opportunities are due December 3, 2025.  

“Appalachia is home to hardworking and ambitious students who will hopefully one day be leaders across the region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “When we invest in Appalachia’s students, we invest in thoughtful growth for the region’s workforce and a strong economic future. I will be excited to see all the energy and accomplishments of the next classes of ARC’s Appalachian STEM Academy and Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy.” 

About the Appalachian Regional Commission 
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

SEDA-COG Helps Secure $500,000 ARC Grant for First Responder Training Expansion in Lycoming County

SEDA-COG Helps Secure $500,000 ARC Grant for First Responder Training Expansion in Lycoming County

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Photo courtesy of Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company: Leaders of the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company gather around the blueprints, envisioning the future as they review plans for the renovation and expansion.

Lewisburg, PA – The Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company (OLTVFC) has been awarded $500,000 through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area Development Grant. The funding will support the renovation and expansion of OLTVFC’s Regional Training Center to meet growing demand for first responder training in Northcentral Pennsylvania.

SEDA-COG, working with OLTVFC and their consultant, completed the application that led to the funding award. The $500,000 ARC grant will be matched with $2,221,935 of state and local funds to complete the project.

The project will renovate 8,000 square feet of existing space and add 3,000 square feet to accommodate college live-in students and expand training offerings.

The enhanced facility will support OLTVFC’s Careers in First Response program, which aims to address the critical shortage of trained emergency personnel.

“As a former volunteer firefighter, I understand the need to recruit future volunteer firefighters, especially in rural areas,” wrote U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson in his letter of support for the OLTVFC application.

“Ensuring a steady supply of trained first responders is a critical need for the economy and safety of Central Pennsylvania. This project will make first response training more accessible and appealing to individuals interested in pursuing careers in this field,” he added.

According to the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Advance Central PA has identified Emergency Medical Technicians & paramedics as a High Priority Occupation due to its anticipated employment growth over the next decade (+15.5%).

This investment will help OLTVFC expand its reach and impact, creating up to 10 new jobs, including employment opportunities for first responders such as firefighters and paramedics, and serving Clinton, Lycoming, and Tioga Counties through enhanced career training in firefighting, emergency medical services, and healthcare professions.

“This project allows us to better serve our communities by preparing more individuals for careers in emergency response,” said OLTVFC President Tim Shumbat. “With expanded space and resources, we can train more students and volunteers who are essential to public safety in our region.”

About ARC
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.

About SEDA-COG
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.

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority to Become Fully Independent in 2026

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority to Become Fully Independent in 2026

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has announced that the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) will become a fully independent entity effective January 1, 2026.

The JRA was created by SEDA-COG in June 1983, in direct response to Conrail’s abandonment of several unprofitable rail lines in central Pennsylvania. Recognizing the critical need to maintain freight rail service in the region, SEDA-COG took action by forming the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, an official municipal authority, to purchase and operate those lines. This move preserved freight service in the region and established the JRA as a nationally recognized public-private partnership.

SEDA-COG is incredibly proud to have launched the JRA, which has grown from two lines serving freight shippers along 80 miles of track, to today’s six lines serving freight shippers along 200 miles of track. We know this growth is a testament to the strength of the foundation we built together and will continue to be a source of pride for this organization.

SEDA-COG will have no formal role in the JRA’s operations after the transition. However, existing relationships with freight shippers and local partners will remain unchanged. Any updates to contact information or administrative details will be provided directly by the JRA later this year.

The JRA joins a growing list of successful initiatives that began under SEDA-COG and later became independent, including the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and Focus Central PA.

As a fully independent entity, the JRA will continue its mission to preserve and foster rail service in Central Pennsylvania and to further economic development through retention, improvement and expansion of the infrastructure and the rail service it supports.

About the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority

Established in 1983, the Joint Rail Authority’s mission is to preserve rail freight service across a nine-county area of central Pennsylvania, moving goods and materials that drive the Central Pennsylvania regional economy. The JRA is responsible for nearly 220 miles of railroad main line track across six railroads. Our railroads, in cooperation with our strategic partner and operator, North Shore Railroad, support over 100 customers and 12,600 jobs in the region. To learn more, visit sedacograil.org.

About SEDA-COG
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.

The Rivet at Discovery Space Receives ARC Funding to Support Rural Entrepreneurs in Central PA

The Rivet at Discovery Space Receives ARC Funding to Support Rural Entrepreneurs in Central PA

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – The Rivet at Discovery Space in State College has been awarded $42,675 through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area Development Grant. This investment will support rural entrepreneurs through a new cohort-based professional learning program.

Dr. Michele Crowl of Discovery Space partnered with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to develop and submit the successful grant application.

“We’re excited to help rural entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses,” said Dr. Michele Crowl, Executive Director of Discovery Space. “This program is about unlocking potential and building community.”

The initiative will help new and small businesses strengthen and expand their operations, providing a structured journey for participants to develop essential business skills, set financial goals, and create actionable business plans.

“This program focuses on equipping artisans, craftspeople, and small-scale manufacturers with essential business skills, promoting local small business growth and economic stability,” wrote U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson in a letter of support for the grant application.

“This investment will not only create new opportunities for local makers but also contribute to Pennsylvania’s broader economic development by strengthening small creative enterprises, fostering regional economic resilience, and ensuring that business resources are accessible beyond traditional urban centers,” wrote U.S. Senator John Fetterman in his letter of support for the grant application.

ARC funds will support staffing, equipment, and services to position The Rivet as a vital resource for rural entrepreneurs.

Photo available courtesy of Discovery Space.

Photo description: Two people work on a woodworking project at The Rivet in State College.

About ARC
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.

About SEDA-COG
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.
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.