Category: Featured

SEDA-COG Announces New Principal Transportation Planner

SEDA-COG Announces New Principal Transportation Planner

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SEDA-COG is pleased to announce that Kristin McLaughlin, a 10-year staffer, will be assuming the role of Principal Transportation Planner.

McLaughlin has been with SEDA-COG since 2012, working in SEDA-COG’s Community Development department administering Lycoming County’s CDBG program. She has been employed in the planning and community development field throughout the region for 20 years. Her previous positions include Elm Street Manager for Sunbury Revitalization, Inc.; Transportation Planning Specialist for PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight; and Community Planner for Union County Planning Commission.

In 2007, McLaughlin became a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. While working in the Community Development program, she was successful in bringing almost $4 million in CDBG Discretionary (Competitive) funds to the region. 

“I’m looking forward to being involved in long-range transportation planning and continuing to serve the SEDA-COG region,” said McLaughlin.

McLaughlin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bloomsburg University in 2002 with a degree in Geography with a concentration in Urban and Regional Planning and a minor in Philosophy.

Steve Herman, SEDA-COG Director of Transportation Planning, believes Kristin is a perfect fit for the role.

“I am very excited to have Kristin join our team and apply her extensive experience and skills toward ensuring a safe, accessible, and efficient transportation system that improves the lives of the region’s residents and visitors. Kristin brings deep knowledge, broad project management successes, and strong consensus-building abilities in joining our dedicated staff,” Herman said.

Through SEDA-COG, counties and municipalities in Central Pennsylvania have a voice in transportation decision-making. Working together with SEDA-COG, local governments, businesses, and the public establish the region’s transportation priorities. Those priorities are detailed in such plans and programs as the region’s long-range transportation plan, transportation improvement program, unified planning work program, and coordinated transit plan.

As a community and economic development agency, 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.

New Hire in SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Program

New Hire in SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Program

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SEDA-COG recently welcomed Brooks Luzier as a Loan Officer within the Business Finance Department.

Luzier has over ten years of experience in banking, customer service, and sales. He previously worked as the Commercial Relationship Manager for Jersey Shore State Bank. Luzier currently serves as a Board Member for both the Lock Haven YMCA and the River Valley Regional YMCA. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Lock Haven University in 2010.

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 Announces New Chief of Community Services

SEDA-COG Announces New Chief of Community Services

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SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Teri Provost, a 15-year staffer, will be taking on the role of Chief in the newly formed Community Services Division.

The Community Services Division (CSD) will encompass SEDA-COG’s Community Development, Flood Resiliency, Housing Rehabilitation, and Community Revitalization programs. In the CSD, the intentionally coordinated efforts of these departments will further allow SEDA-COG to respond to community needs in a more comprehensive way. These efforts will ultimately provide improved service opportunities to our member counties and regional communities.

Provost worked in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program for 9 years before becoming the Director of Housing Rehabilitation and Flood Resiliency. Throughout her 15-year career at SEDA-COG, she has prepared numerous grant applications and has proficient experience with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Housing and Urban Development programs.

Provost has been a member of The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) since 2018 and serves as the Chapter District 2 Director. This position has a 2-year term.

She also serves as past chair of the Pennsylvania Association of State Floodplain Managers (PAFPM) board. Her board appointment is from January to December 2022. Before this appointment, Teri held the Vice Chair position with PAFPM from January to December 2021. 

Provost has also developed and managed public works projects throughout the central Pennsylvania counties served by SEDA-COG. Additionally, she is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and has administered several state- and federally-funded buyouts and residential elevation projects in flood-prone communities.

“My top priority is to ensure that our Agency can serve the Region for years to come in a truly impactful manner, not only by leveraging grant funding opportunities, but also by building long lasting meaningful relationships. In the CSD, the orchestration of multiple aspects of municipal assistance will provide a comprehensive community approach to community resiliency, augmented by diversity in leadership and innovation,” Provost said.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Provost’s background has prepared her perfectly to take on this role.

“Teri has been with SEDA-COG for 15 years and has had the opportunity to work in several departments and grow her expertise in each area. She embodies a collaborative spirit and I truly believe that her skills and abilities are going to take SEDA-COG to new heights in this role,” Wheeler said.

Provost earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Clarion University in 2002.

Provost is grateful for the opportunity to deepen the partnerships between SEDA-COG and our surrounding municipalities. 

“This role will allow our Region to maximize collaboration, funding opportunities and expertise.  I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with so many talented staff in our communities, with our partners, with grant funding agencies, and certainly within our office location,” Provost said.

As a community and economic development agency, 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.

Public Notice: West End and Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Studies Final Reports

Public Notice: West End and Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Studies Final Reports

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The final reports for the West End and Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Studies are now posted online.

With the support of Representative Millard and Senator Gordner, funding was secured for these pioneering studies. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners, working with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), engaged Borton-Lawson to develop the West End Flood Mitigation Study and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) to develop the Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Study. The goals of the studies were to:

• detect flooding problem areas within the County’s 18 municipalities/West End of the Town of Bloomsburg,

• identify best approaches that can be implemented by the County to mitigate flood impacts, reduce flood risk and improve residents’ quality of life,

• highlight mitigation options for the problems identified and implementable projects offered as a solution to those problems.

Both final reports can be found on the County’s Resiliency Office website, http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php  and also on SEDA-COG’s website, https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ . The Columbia County Board of Commissioners have already begun the next steps and will continue to implement resiliency measures as a result of the studies.

The study kicked off with a combined public meeting in July 2021, two separate follow up public meetings held at the end of November and beginning of December 2021, and final meetings held in March 2022. Presentation slides and other materials can also be found at the website links above.

SEDA-COG assisted Columbia County in the grant administration of the studies. The studies were financed by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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.