Category: News

Image description: Rendering of Independence Street between 8th Street and Liberty Street, illustrating the proposed Phase 2 streetscape improvements.

Shamokin, PA — The City of Shamokin, in partnership with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), will host a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off construction for the Independence Street Streetscape Project.

The ceremony will take place on Monday, Apr. 20, 2026, at 10 a.m., at the intersection of 9th Street and Independence Street.

The event will be held as scheduled, regardless of weather. Street parking is available along the side street. This will be a ceremonial groundbreaking, with construction expected to begin in late April or early May.

The project represents a major investment in Shamokin’s future, focusing on improving pedestrian safety, accessibility, and the overall streetscape experience along one of the City’s most important corridors.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser is expected to attend and will join local and regional leaders in celebrating this milestone. Federal funding secured through congressional support has played a critical role in funding this project.

The Independence Street Streetscape Project is a key implementation effort of the GoShamokin! Revitalization Plan, a comprehensive strategy adopted by the City in 2020 to guide economic and community development.

Planned improvements include upgraded sidewalks, ADA accessibility enhancements, improved lighting, crosswalks, and streetscape features designed to support local businesses and enhance quality of life.

“This project represents years of planning, partnership, and persistence,” said Betsy Kramer, director of Community Revitalization for SEDA-COG. “It’s incredibly exciting to see this vision move into implementation and to continue building momentum in Shamokin.”

Community members, stakeholders, and the public are encouraged to attend and celebrate this exciting step forward.

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.

Lewisburg, PA — Shamokin residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are invited to attend a public open house on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Casey Club Knights of Columbus, 400 East Independence Street, Shamokin.

The public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about ongoing revitalization efforts and share their ideas for the future of Shamokin.

The event is being organized by SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) in partnership with the City of Shamokin and the GoShamokin! initiative, with planning efforts supported through SEDA-COG’s EPA Brownfield Assessment Coalition Grant.

During the open house, attendees will hear a brief overview of current planning initiatives and improvement projects underway in the city before participating in interactive activities designed to gather community feedback. Informational exhibits will also be available, allowing participants to provide input directly to the planning team.

Public input gathered during the meeting will help guide future redevelopment strategies and priorities that support Shamokin’s continued economic growth and revitalization.

“Community participation is essential to the success of these efforts,” said Betsy Kramer, director of Community Revitalization at SEDA-COG. “This open house is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to learn about the work already underway and help shape the next chapter of Shamokin’s revitalization.”

Earlier the same day, several topic-focused forums will also be held with government agencies, regional partners, and community organizations. The discussions will focus on economic development, recreation and tourism opportunities, and downtown capacity-building strategies.

These discussions and the public open house are part of a broader effort to advance recommendations from the 2020 GoShamokin! Plan and identify opportunities to redevelop underutilized properties, strengthen the downtown, and expand economic development opportunities throughout the city.

Community members interested in attending are asked to RSVP by emailing Brittiny Wright at bwright@seda-cog.org.

Additional updates about Shamokin revitalization efforts can be found at goshamokin.com.

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.

Lewisburg, PA — At its March 5, 2026 public meeting, Williamsport City Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the next phase of the City’s federally funded levee rehabilitation project.

Betsy Kramer, director of Community Revitalization at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDACOG), presented formal procurement recommendations to Council following a competitive qualifications-based and sealed bid process conducted in accordance with federal procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.

Council approved:
• A resolution authorizing selection of AECOM to provide professional engineering services following the completed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process.
• A resolution authorizing award of construction services to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) following the completed Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

The procurement processes were publicly advertised, evaluated using established scoring criteria, and reviewed for compliance with FEMA and federal grant requirements. The engineering selection followed Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) standards, while the construction contract was awarded in accordance with competitive procurement requirements.

“This project represents a major investment in long-term flood protection and infrastructure resiliency for the Williamsport community,” said Kramer. “City Council’s action tonight allows us to move forward confidently into the next phase of implementation while maintaining full compliance with federal funding requirements.”

The levee rehabilitation project is funded through FEMA’s Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation (LPDM) grant program and represents an approximate $10 million dollar investment in critical flood control infrastructure.

The project will strengthen the existing levee system, reduce flood risk to residents and businesses, and enhance the City’s long-term resiliency planning efforts.

City officials emphasized that careful adherence to federal procurement standards ensures continued eligibility for reimbursement and protects taxpayer investment.

Next steps include final contract execution, submission of required documentation to FEMA and PEMA, and coordination meetings to begin detailed project planning and scheduling.

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.