Featured – Page 35 – SEDA Council of Governments

Action Plan Promotes Shamokin Rebirth

Posted on July 7, 2020May 28, 2026 by DNS Admin

Shamokin now has an action plan to help achieve the community’s vision of substantial rebirth.

Through a series of meetings and partnerships, and an effort that began nearly two years ago, the Shamokin Community Rebuilding Action Plan was drafted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). An interfaith and multi-stakeholder collaborative partnership formed to create the Faith Alliance for Revitalization (FAR), which helped the city and community establish a set of goals and implementation of activities in the plan. In addition to identifying goals, the plan also has a comprehensive list of resource providers.

As part of SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) ongoing revitalization efforts in the Shamokin Area, SEDA-COG Revitalization Coordinator Betsy Kramer also gave input and helped coordinate efforts between this action plan and another Shamokin revitalization plan SEDA-COG is spearheading, due to be released this summer. SEDA-COG also was identified as a resource provider.

Shamokin Mayor John Brown said the effort to transform the city accelerated in a short time.

“I started as mayor 2.5 years ago with a city in distress. I am amazed at how within months, it went from nothing to overwhelming. State Rep. Kurt Masser stepped forward and helped to bring funding to SEDA-COG to coordinate the effort to revitalize the city. Thanks to that effort, strategic plans are being developed so all the players have a common path to a successful city,” Brown said.

Friar Mike Lasky and Father Martin Kobos helped to form FAR and coordinated the faith community’s efforts with the support and participation of the local Ministerium members. Friar Rich Rome is the director of FAR.

“It has been inspiring to see the citizens, faith communities, businesses, and government agencies come together in support of this revitalization plan. Even though COVID-19 interrupted implementation, the working groups continued to meet and now, as restrictions are lifting, the pace to implement the action plan is increasing. The enthusiasm for the revitalization effort, especially at EPA and SEDA-COG, never flagged. It is a wonderful partnership that continues to strive for a better tomorrow for Shamokin,” Rome said.

“We Franciscan Friars are inspired by all who have come together to begin a new dialogue, shaping the future by overcoming indifference and seeking concrete solutions to the difficulties that confront us today. FAR is not a place but a network of relationships that help us to inspire one another, while coordinating our working toward the common good,” Lasky said.

“The Franciscans who minister in Shamokin/Coal Township and Trevorton are so pleased to see efforts of FAR bearing such positive results in our local communities. Seeing the cooperation between the area’s Ministerium, civic, business and government agencies is most gratifying. The friars look forward to sustaining that positive momentum into the future in partnership with our local brothers and sisters,” Kobos said, pastor of Mother Cabrini Parish, Shamokin.

As a partner in the effort, SEDA-COG helps fill the gaps where coordination was needed, Kramer said.

“Shamokin is ripe for revitalization and there are tremendous efforts coming from multiple fronts; we are pleased that our coordination helped to bring this to a congruous result with the plans,” Kramer said.

The plan was built on discussions at the Shamokin Community Rebuilding Workshop on Feb. 11-13, where 165 people participated.

The plan’s goals are as follows:

· Attract and support the development of new businesses, and support job creation activities/programs and current businesses;
· Bring citizens together to work toward a common goal of increasing pride and ownership in our community;
· Foster and nurture productive partnerships;
· Redevelop/demolish/rehabilitate/cleanup blighted commercial and residential properties throughout the city;
· Enhance positive relationship building, inclusive communities, fostering human dignity and respect;
· Make Shamokin healthy, green, and clean now and tomorrow. The plan can be found at: https://www.franciscancenterpa.org/.

All residents are invited to attend the monthly meetings of FAR. To become involved with the volunteer efforts in the Shamokin Area, please contact: Friar Rich of FAR at rmrome07@gmail.com, Kathy Vetovich of SABER at kvetovich@gmail.com, or Betsy Kramer of SEDA-COG at bkramer@seda-cog.org.

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.

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.

Lock Haven residents may receive no-cost home repairs Helps residents and general contractors

Posted on June 17, 2020 by DNS Admin

The City of Lock Haven may be awarded a $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant early next year, and city residents are encouraged to apply now to get on the waiting list to receive no-cost home repairs. Local general contractors will perform the work.

Homeowners may be eligible to receive up to $65,000 in home improvements.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing.

Homeowners can go through the process hassle-free with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) managing it from start to finish, said Teri Provost, director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“We manage the process on behalf of the homeowner so they don’t have to worry about it, including obtaining the contractor and seeing the project through to completion,” Provost said.

SEDA-COG manages and administers the program on behalf of the city; the city is the grant applicant, pursuing the funds on behalf of its residents.

This also presents an opportunity for general contractors who want to perform housing rehabilitation work in the area.

“COVID-19 has hit everyone hard, and our housing rehabilitation program helps both residents and the local workforce by providing no-cost home repairs from local contractors. This puts money directly back into people’s wallets and helps rebuild our economy,” Provost said.

Benefits to contractors include timely payments, year-round work, and multiple work locations/flexibility. Housing rehabilitation bids typically range from $20,000 to $65,000.

Interested homeowners may contact SEDA-COG’s Stacy Anderson to join the wait list at 800-326-9310 or sanderson@seda-cog.org. Contractors may contact SEDA-COG’s Danielle King at 570-524-4491 ext. 7325 or dking@seda-cog.org.

Qualifications:

· Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
· Meet income qualifications based on household size;
· Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
· Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
· Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $35,400; 2 – $40,450; 3 – $45,500; 4 – $50,550; 5 – $54,600; 6 – $58,650; 7 – $62,700; 8 – $66,750.

New natural gas service begins in Centre Hall – Service will support hundreds of new customers

Posted on June 11, 2020 by DNS Admin

CENTRE HALL – Natural gas is now flowing to a major food processing plant and will be soon to small businesses and over 100 homes in its initial phase.

This is thanks to the Centre Hall Natural Gas Project and its partners, said Pete Smeltz, president of the SEDA-COG Natural Gas Cooperative.

“This project has progressed rapidly since its groundbreaking last September. It demonstrates how the SEDA-COG Natural Gas Cooperative forms partnerships and leverages funds to help businesses and residents access natural gas when they can’t otherwise,” Smeltz said. “We are so appreciative of our participating supporters – Hanover Foods Corporation, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Dominion Energy Transmission, the state of Pennsylvania, state Sen. Jake Corman, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, Centre County Planning and Community Development Office, and Centre Hall Borough.”

The largest business the project serves is Hanover Foods Corporation.

Attorney Matthew Garber of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, counsel for Hanover Foods, said, “Hanover Foods is pleased to utilize a cleaner and more cost-efficient resource, to strengthen its operational capabilities, and to support development throughout the Centre County region.”

Over 100 residents and businesses along the main pipeline route have been able to convert to natural gas because of opportunities provided by Columbia Gas.

Mike Huwar, Columbia Gas president and COO, said this presents new economic opportunities for the area.

“Columbia Gas is honored to expand access to natural gas to customers in Centre Hall through this project while creating new jobs and new economic opportunities,” Huwar said. “Going forward, safely operating this system will be our responsibility for years to come. We take that responsibility for safety seriously —for our customers, for our communities, and for our employees.”

Centre Hall Mayor Ray Hankinson, who serves on the cooperative board, said this project is much needed in the borough to support jobs and cost savings for businesses and homeowners alike.

“This is an exciting first project for the cooperative and our borough – and a great milestone for central Pennsylvanians. Our small borough could never have planned and coordinated the resources it took to bring this project into existence. I hope this becomes a drawing card for new business in our area,” Hankinson said.

The project provides natural gas service through a new a point of delivery station and delivery pipeline network that connects to a Dominion Energy natural gas transmission line west of Centre Hall Borough, runs through Centre Hall, and out to Hanover Foods in Potter Township. Columbia Gas built a 25,425-foot mainline pipeline delivery system to serve Centre Hall, Hanover Foods, and other businesses and residents. The initial project phase will continue to be expanded to serve additional residences and businesses over time.

Columbia Gas owns and operates the point of delivery station and the delivery system. The cooperative procured and managed funding and has supported marketing efforts to add new customers.

The $7 million project was financed by a $1 million Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority, and matching funds from Columbia Gas and Hanover Foods.

The SEDA-COG Natural Gas Cooperative, established in June 2016, provides project funding and forms partnerships to expand natural gas distribution infrastructure to its member counties Centre, Clinton, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, and Union and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG). For more information, visit http://centralpagas.org/.