News – SEDA Council of Governments

Navigating International Markets: Free Business Seminar Hosted by SEDA-COG and Smeal College of Business

Posted on March 11, 2025March 11, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA– The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is proud to partner with Penn State Smeal College of Business, Center for Global Business Studies to bring you a great opportunity to network, learn, and have meaningful conversations centered around international business.

Date: April 17, 2025
Time: 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Location: 217 Business Building, Penn State

The event is free to attend but registration is required by Tuesday, April 1. To register, visit https://bit.ly/ConfApr17.

“The SEDA-COG Export Program is proud to once again partner with Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, Center for Global Business Studies,” stated Program Director Noelle Long. “Our past collaboration was highly successful, and we look forward to the insights and opportunities this year’s half-day program will bring.”

The conference, Navigating a Complex Global Business Environment, will look at federal resources, navigating ports, global supply chains, employment trends, and success stories.

Professor Terrence Guay, director of the Center for Global Business Studies, suggests “This is a great opportunity for Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and SEDA-COG to give back to the central Pennsylvania business community, and to highlight the College’s and SEDA-COG’s international business expertise.”

For more information or questions regarding the event, please contact Noelle at nlong@seda-cog.org or 570-412-4072.

SEDA-COG’s Export Development Program is the state’s Regional Export Network (REN) partner, providing export assistance throughout the 11 central counties of Pennsylvania. Export staff is ready to assist companies with technical assistance on various topics such as product compliance, export licensing, documentation, shipping, and much more. Since 2006, the Export Program has assisted 736 companies. One hundred and twelve companies have reported over $1.2 billion in export sales to 153 countries.

SEDA-COG Hires New Deputy Director

Posted on February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA- SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Angela Grieco has been selected as the new Deputy Director.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Grieco’s alignment with the needs of the organization is undeniable. She brings skillsets and expertise that complement the current SEDA-COG management team.

“I am excited to welcome our new Deputy Director Angela Grieco to SEDA-COG. We searched high and low for someone who has a passion for public sector leadership, sees themselves as a public servant, enjoys identifying and tackling challenges—someone who will help us continue to think differently, entrepreneurially, and foster innovation with others,” said Wheeler. “I am thrilled that Grieco is that person who will bring the full package to SEDA-COG.”

Grieco brings years of private sector experience at leading management consulting firms, including Deloitte Consulting and Guidehouse, as a project management leader supporting public sector clients. She has a proven track record of building high-performing, cross-functional teams and excels at guiding clients to uncover root challenges and develop innovative, practical solutions. Her expertise spans project planning and implementation in key areas, including strategic planning, grant program design, stakeholder engagement and analysis, organizational analysis, change management and transformation, and technology project management support.

“I was drawn to the impressive breadth and depth of public services and expertise SEDA-COG provides and its strong footprint in the communities it serves,” said Grieco. “The dedication and tenacity that SEDA-COG leadership and staff bring to their communities is truly inspiring. For these reasons, I knew that SEDA-COG was the right fit for me and am honored to serve and work alongside such a talented organization.”

Grieco continued “In my new role, I hope to grow as a public service leader and contribute to the organization’s existing talent by bringing new perspectives and practical solutions to the challenges our region and organization face as they transition for future generations to come.”

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program Webinars

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by DNS Admin

Presented by the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service, these webinars will cover the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

These webinars will include:

A high-level overview of the DLT program
An overview of the FY2025 DLT Program NOFP
Information on how to apply via grants.gov
Important Dates and next steps

Slides, transcript and a recording of the webinar will be posted on the DLT website after the session.

Webinar Dates and Times:

Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST |Register Here
Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST |Register Here

USDA will present this webinar twice. The second presentation will provide the same information as the first one; no new information will be added to the second session. Please register for the session that’s most convenient for you.

Please submit any questions using the USDA Contact Us Form.

CPF – Digital Connectivity Technology Program Round Two

Posted on January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 by DNS Admin

In June 2024, the PBDA opened the Capital Projects Fund – Digital Connectivity Technology (Technology) Program. This program utilized $20 million of the $279 million in the Capital Projects Fund that were allocated to Pennsylvania through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.

In November 2024, the PBDA Board of Directors approved 117 applications for the distribution of over 9,000 laptops across 42 counties. These entities included libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, not-for-profit organizations, other community anchor institutions, in areas where affordability is a barrier. For details on the first round of approved applicants, please visit the Digital Connectivity Technology Program page.

The PBDA will open a second round of the Technology Program beginning April 1, 2025, to distribute the remaining laptops. The PBDA wanted to reach out specifically to Economic Development Organizations across the Commonwealth. The intricate knowledge you have of your community member organizations and their needs, can really help to alert those entities that could benefit from this program.

There are a number of barriers that make access to high-speed internet connectivity difficult for many. More so, numerous Pennsylvanians do not have access to the devices needed to be successful in our digital economy. This program will aim to close that piece of the digital divide by allowing public-facing entities to acquire devices that will be made free and publicly available to community members.

Additionally, in preparation for this second round, there will be two webinars which will provide an overview of the program, review FAQs, and outline any updates to the guidelines. Additional information for these webinars is provided in the attached flyer.

Should you have additional questions or needs, please contact the PBDA at pbda_capitalprojectsfund@pa.gov.

Thank You,
The PBDA Team

Download: DCTP Round 2 Webinar Flyer

Webinar 1: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Webinar 2: Wednesday, February 12, 2025