COVID-19 – Page 15 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG Awarded $6.3 Million for Small Business Relief

Posted on August 4, 2020 by DNS Admin

More relief for small businesses is on its way with additional loans through SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), a regional community and economic development agency in Lewisburg.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded SEDA-COG $6.3 million from the CARES Act.

“The CARES Act succeeded in supporting employers and employees in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09). This “announcement is great news for small businesses in the 9th District and across the Commonwealth. CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants will provide necessary capital for Pennsylvania businesses to safely reopen and help grow our economy.”

SEDA-COG Executive Director John Brown said the EDA is investing in SEDA-COG to respond to this crisis.

“We are pleased that EDA made this investment in SEDA-COG, a high-performing, regionally-focused agency committed to helping our region respond to this unprecedented challenge by using creative solutions to help meet the current needs of businesses and communities in this ever-changing economic climate,” Brown said.

SEDA-COG Business Finance Director Doug Wilburn said businesses’ needs have been heard and SEDA-COG and the EDA are committed to working to meet those needs.

“The EDA funding award to SEDA-COG will provide loans for businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the SEDA-COG region. We know there is hard work to be done and we are committed to doing our part to help alleviate the acute pain from the pandemic in our region,” Wilburn said.

The funding award will capitalize a new revolving loan fund (RLF) to alleviate sudden and severe economic issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for eligible small businesses in SEDA-COG’s region of Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties.

Businesses can apply for loans of at least $10,000. No payments are due in the first six months. There is a $500 underwriting fee and a $100 filing fee. Interested business owners should visit the website below for the application materials and send completed applications to SEDA-COG at the email address below.

During the COVID-19 crisis, unemployment rates have increased exponentially. Small businesses that were unable to operate remotely closed. Among the top issues identified during this crisis by the businesses was an immediate need for capital to keep businesses open.

In response to this need, SEDA-COG previously allocated $400,000 from an existing EDA award and this $6.3 million is in addition to that prior award.

For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/covid-19/ or contact SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department at eda@seda-cog.org.

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.

Funds available for limited time for heating unit repairs. Residents can get no-cost repairs through SEDA-COG

Posted on June 29, 2020 by DNS Admin

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is reminding residents that CARES funds to repair or replace their home heating units are available through Aug. 31 or until funds are spent.

This service is available to income-qualifying residents in Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mandy Fox, chief of SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program, said there are still funds left and urged residents to apply.

“Many people are facing financial hardships right now, and we want to let people know these funds are still available. Because it’s summer, many people aren’t thinking about repairing or replacing their heating units, but it’s the perfect time to do repairs since the funds are available and it’s warm out,” Fox said.

For those whose heat source is malfunctioning, they should call their county assistance office. The county assistance office will forward the completed referral to SEDA-COG to assign to a subcontractor.

SEDA-COG and its subcontractors will follow Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and use the proper Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) during home visits. SEDA-COG asks those who have been sick, have symptoms or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 that they reschedule their appointments.

COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICES

Columbia: 570-387-4200
Juniata: 717-436-2158
Mifflin: 717-248-6746
Montour: 570-275-7430
Perry: 1-800-991-1929
Snyder: 570-374-8126
Union: 570-524-2201

For more information on the recovery program, call SEDA-COG’s Christine Bohart at 570-522-7219 or visit https://bit.ly/2WV26pJ.

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.