SEDA-COG HDC receives $450K PHARE funds to jumpstart CRIB project

Photo description: Currently vacant, this longstanding structure in the heart of Shamokin is set to undergo a multi-year, mixed-use redevelopment, with plans to include affordable housing and a potential business incubator.

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has received $450,000 from the 2024 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), from the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), to jumpstart its Coal Region Innovation Builder (CRIB) project in the City of Shamokin.

CRIB is a mixed-use redevelopment project taking a vacant, historic building in Shamokin’s downtown core and turning it into a vibrant community hub that will ultimately include eleven energy-efficient, affordable housing units and a proposed business incubator to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With housing affordability continuing to be an issue in the city and region, this project will implement a rent structure that ensures accessibility for lower-income groups.

By prioritizing affordable housing and the incubator space, the project will foster financial stability for low-income families and provide opportunities for community-based businesses, creating a lasting impact on household stability and the local economy.

The $450,000 PHARE funds will be used to initiate Phase I and II of the multi-year, multi-funded project, which is expected to cost over $5 million once completed.

The PHARE funds received will cover the acquisition of the building, exterior renovations, and begin development of the first two floors—the proposed incubator, one ADA-compliant housing unit on the first floor, and five additional housing units on the second floor.

Located in the heart of the multi-million-dollar downtown Independence Street streetscape project, the CRIB project is positioned to maximize impact by revitalizing housing options and commercial spaces as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance economic resilience in Shamokin.

This funding is part of a statewide initiative unveiled earlier this week by PHFA. This year, PHFA is distributing $73 million in PHARE funding to support 387 housing and community development projects across all 67 counties, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis and expanding access to safe, affordable housing.

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $19.7 billion of funding for more than 205,147 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

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. About SEDA-COG HDC
The SEDA-COG HDC is a 501(c)(3) corporation that works to enhance, promote, and develop housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families in order to relieve the poor, distressed, and underprivileged, to lessen the burdens of government, and to combat community deterioration.

SEDA-COG Welcomes Regional County Commissioners for an Insightful Morning of Discussions

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) welcomed the regional county commissioners to participate in their Strengthening County Services Together event on Friday, May 30 at their headquarters in Lewisburg.

Seventeen commissioners from across the region were joined by SEDA-COG executive director, deputy director, program directors, and other staff members.

Executive Director Kim Wheeler greeted the county commissioners at the beginning of the event, expressing the importance of each of SEDA-COG’s programs and the significant impact that they have on the surrounding communities.

Wheeler remarked, “Today’s event is meant to be conversational and thought-provoking. Your insights will help shape our strategies moving forward and ensure that the services we provide are not only relevant, but impactful and support your needs and goals.”

The event consisted of breakout sessions where the commissioners and program directors reviewed the achievements of the 2024 calendar year. This was followed by discussions about future initiatives and how SEDA-COG can continue to enhance county services. These discussions were aimed at fostering collaboration and ensuring that the services provided by SEDA-COG continue to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

In closing remarks of the event, SEDA-COG Board President and Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz said, “This meeting is to make us stronger and better together cumulatively, because the residents that we all represent care about what is happening in our region.”

Overall, the event was a success, highlighting the importance of partnership and open dialogue in strengthening regional governance and community support. 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.

Training the Workforce

Are you or someone you know looking to start a career in trades?
 
This free course will help you get started. Yes, free! SEDA-COG has teamed up with SUN Tech through the Northumberland Whole Homes Repair Program to offer this training and help jumpstart careers—whether someone is new to the job market or looking for a career switch.
 
Space is limited, and applications are due by June 12, so contact SUN Area Technical Institute today! https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx…
 
This Project was financed in part by a grant from the federal Department of Treasury, under the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

SEDA-COG MPO to Host Two Public Meetings on Electric Vehicle Community Charging Stations

Lewisburg, PA– The SEDA-Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEDA-COG MPO) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to sponsor two Electric Vehicle (EV) Community Charging Station public meetings. 

These free meetings, conducted in conjunction with PennDOT’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, are intended to provide background and resources on EVs and EV programs. They are also designed to collect information on potential EV charging station locations in communities throughout the SEDA-COG MPO region.

The SEDA-COG MPO will potentially receive about $2 million through PennDOT’s NEVI program funds to support community charging infrastructure.

Businesses and residents are encouraged to attend! The same information will be presented at both meetings.

Date: May 8, 2025
Time: 1–3 p.m.
Location: Shamokin-Coal Township Library, 210 E. Independence St., Shamokin, PA
Event free, registration requested: https://bit.ly/scevreg

Or

Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Location: Clinton County Community Center, 124 E. Walnut St., Lock Haven, PA
Event free, registration requested: https://bit.ly/scevreg

In addition to attending one of the in-person meetings, interested persons are encouraged to visit the program’s website, https://bit.ly/scevccp, to complete a survey and propose locations for potential charging station sites.

For more information, please contact SEDA-COG Senior Principal Transportation Planner Don Kiel at dkiel@seda-corg.org or at (570) 524-4491. Public participation is key to the development of the program. If anyone requires special assistance to complete the survey or would like a printed version, please contact Don Kiel.

The SEDA-COG Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the official transportation planning organization for eight (8) Central Pennsylvania Counties (Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union), as designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.