Category: News

SEDA-COG and Mount Carmel Borough Receive Grants to Benefit Our Region

SEDA-COG and Mount Carmel Borough Receive Grants to Benefit Our Region

Posted on by Gabriela Huerta

$187,100 and $19,500 respectively
SEDA-COG will use the grant to prepare a multi-county Greenway Plan
Mount Carmel Borough will use its funds to prepare a Master Site Development Plan for Oak Street Park

Lewisburg, PA –SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), a community and economic development agency serving Central Pennsylvania, will receive $187,100 from a Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grant, while Mount Carmel Borough, in Northumberland County will receive $19,500.

The grants, funded by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), looks to fund projects that help communities improve parks and playgrounds, build and repair trails, conserve open space, restore rivers and watersheds, and grow local economies through outdoor recreation.

“Pennsylvania’s parks and trails give us a place to make memories with our families, take a breath and lower our blood pressure, and just enjoy nature,” said Governor Shapiro.

“These awards help us move community priorities toward reality – from connecting trails, parks and downtowns across four counties to envisioning a welcoming neighborhood park in Mount Carmel. Thoughtful planning gives our communities a stronger foundation to pursue funding and create places that serve residents, attract visitors and support local businesses. We’re grateful for the investment and the partnerships making this work possible,” said Betsy Kramer, Director of Community Revitalization & Resiliency at SEDA-COG.

SEDA-COG will use the grant to prepare a multi-county Greenway Plan for Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder counties, while Mount Carmel Borough, Northumberland County will use its funds to prepare a Master Site Development Plan for the 0.26-acre Oak Street Park which will establish a framework for the site’s future development as a neighborhood recreation and gathering space, with an electronic written report and site development drawing.

Supported by SEDA-COG, Mount Carmel Borough’s planning effort will help them evaluate community needs, establish design priorities and prepare for future funding opportunities. The work complements ongoing environmental assessment through EPA brownfields resources, helping coordinate site investigation with park planning and future redevelopment.

“The project advances Mount Carmel’s broader revitalization efforts by laying the groundwork for a welcoming public space that benefits residents and strengthens the surrounding neighborhood,” added Kramer.

On behalf of Mount Carmel Borough, SEDA-COG has also applied for matching funds through DCED Act 13 Greenway Recreation Trail Program (GTRP) to support this project and they are awaiting the award announcement.

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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 which include Grant Assistance for Communities & Nonprofit Organizations.

SEDA-COG Helps Secure $475k for Regional Safety and Flood Mitigation Projects

Posted on by Gabriela Huerta

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), a community and economic development agency serving Central Pennsylvania, helped Montour and Columbia counties secure a combined $475,000 through the Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide program.

The two projects, supported by SEDA-COG’s Community Revitalization and Community Development teams, will improve public safety by strengthening emergency communication, and reduce flood risks for residents, businesses, and critical community assets.

Montour County emergency warning system

Montour County was awarded $225,000 to develop a countywide emergency warning system. Alimara “Ali” Cassidy, SEDA-COG Community Revitalization Program Coordinator, assisted the county with preparation of the successful grant application.

The system will use rain gauges, stream gauges, cameras, and audible warning alerts to provide earlier notification of flooding and other emergencies. The audible-alert component is particularly important for reaching residents who may not have reliable or regular access to cellphones, internet service, or other communications technology.

By expanding the county’s ability to monitor conditions and alert the public quickly, the project will enhance emergency preparedness and help protect residents throughout Montour County.

Columbia County flood mitigation

Columbia County was awarded $250,000 for the benched floodplain phase of the West End Flood Mitigation Project. Betsy Kramer, SEDA-COG Director of Community Revitalization and Resiliency, developed the application in partnership with SEDA-COG’s Community Development program and Columbia County.

The West End Flood Mitigation Project is a coordinated effort to address recurring flooding in the Town of Bloomsburg and Hemlock Township. The planned benched floodplain along Fishing Creek will increase the area’s capacity to store and convey floodwaters, helping reduce the frequency and severity of flooding that affects homes, businesses, transportation routes, and the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.

According to SEDA-COG, “this work represents another important step toward the larger West End flood-protection system and will help Columbia County meet federal requirements necessary to advance future project phases.”

“These awards demonstrate what strong partnerships and carefully developed projects can accomplish for our communities,” Kramer said. “Ali did an excellent job assisting Montour County with its application, and we were proud to work across SEDA-COG programs and alongside Columbia County to advance the West End Flood Mitigation Project. Both investments will help make our region safer and more resilient.”

Legislative support

On behalf of Montour and Columbia counties, SEDA-COG extends its sincere appreciation to Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, Rep. Michael Stender, and Rep. Robert Leadbeter for their advocacy and support of these important regional projects.

Sen. Culver and Rep. Stender supported Montour County’s emergency warning system, while Sen. Culver and Rep. Leadbeter advocated for the Columbia County’s West End Flood Mitigation Project.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority approved both grants through the LSA Statewide program, which supports projects that enhance public safety, infrastructure, community facilities, and overall quality of life across Pennsylvania.

 

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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 which include Grant Assistance for Communities & Nonprofit Organizations.

SEDA-COG Financing Assists Masonry Preservation Services Expansion in Bloomsburg

Posted on by DNS Admin

Lewisburg, Pa. – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) recently assisted Masonry Preservation Services, Inc. (MPS) with financing through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), helping the company purchase and renovate a property in Bloomsburg for its new headquarters.

Working in partnership with Journey Bank, SEDA-COG provided financing that enabled MPS owners Erik Valentino and Scott Siegfried to acquire and improve the property to meet the company’s operational needs.

Founded in 1985, MPS specializes in the restoration and preservation of historic and architecturally significant buildings throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The company has completed projects at Geisinger Medical Center’s Danville campus, the F.M. Kirby Center, the Pennsylvania State Capitol, as well as numerous museums, churches, courthouses, and universities. MPS has earned a reputation for quality restoration, façade maintenance, and building envelope diagnostics.

“SEDA-COG was proud to work alongside Journey Bank to deliver financing that supports Masonry Preservation Services’ expansion in Bloomsburg,” said SEDA-COG Business Finance Relationship Manager John Reichard. “By combining resources, we helped position MPS for continued growth while strengthening its presence in the region. We appreciate the partnership with Journey Bank and congratulate the MPS team on this exciting achievement.”

“Journey Bank is always ready to assist our customers in the best way possible,” said David Utt, AVP Commercial Lender at Journey Bank. “When Masonry Preservation Services was ready to expand, purchasing property and renovations were needed to accommodate their corporate plan. Partnering with SEDA-COG through the SSBCI program was the best financing solution for this project. MPS is now well-positioned to operate more effectively from its new headquarters for years to come.”

For more information about SEDA-COG’s business financing programs, contact John Reichard at jreichard@seda-cog.org or Brooks Luzier at bluzier@seda-cog.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.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Owens
Chief Human Resources Officer, SEDA-COG
570-524-4491
aowens@seda-cog.org

$777,500 Awarded for Sullivan County Sewer Project

$777,500 Awarded for Sullivan County Sewer Project

Posted on by DNS Admin

Lewisburg, Pa. Sonestown, a rural community in Sullivan County with approximately 200 residents, has secured $777,500 in funding from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to address significant issues within its wastewater treatment and collection system.

The project, supported by SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, will focus on improving aging infrastructure that has raised serious concerns related to public health, water quality, and environmental protection.

Sonestown’s sewer system has experienced ongoing deterioration, including cracked and sagging pipes, limited maintenance access, and repeated flooding near Muncy Creek. These conditions have led to sewage backups, system overflows, and concerns about groundwater contamination. Many residents rely on private wells, and some have turned to bottled water due to concerns about water safety.

“This project allows Sonestown to address critical infrastructure needs that directly impact residents’ health and quality of life,” said County Commissioner Chair Scott Myers. “It ensures the system can operate more reliably now and into the future.”

The project will upgrade both the wastewater treatment plant and collection system to improve reliability and reduce ongoing issues. Planned work includes increasing flood protection at the treatment plant, upgrading key components, inspecting approximately 6,500 feet of sewer lines, installing additional access points for maintenance, and completing targeted pipe repairs using minimally invasive methods. These improvements will help reduce system failures, improve flow, and prevent future overflows and backups.

The investment will protect groundwater supplies and reduce the risk of contamination to Muncy Creek while improving overall system performance and compliance. This funding is critical to completing necessary improvements without placing additional financial strain on the community. The overall goal is to provide long-term stability and more reliable service for residents moving forward.