SEDA-COG recently welcomed Anthony McKenney as a Program Assistant in the Community Development Program.
McKenney is a 2021 graduate of Bloomsburg University with a degree in History and a minor in Political Science. AJ is currently a member of the Catawissa Borough Council and a committee member of Columbia County Tax Collection. During his time at Bloomsburg University, McKenney worked on the McGee Project. This project created a digital database of historical documents. McKenney also participated in the Migrant Education Program and student taught at Shamokin Area High School.
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’s Community Development Program recently helped communities in Clinton, Northumberland, Centre, and Juniata Counties receive Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) competitive and Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding. The awarded funds will go towards updating existing water and/or sewer systems to help improve the quality of life for residents.
“This funding will help residents receive access to drinkable water, improved services, and help protect public health and safety. Most of us take systems like these for granted, and the better quality of life these residents will have as a result of these improvement projects can’t be overstated,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in a press release.
The boroughs of South Renovo and Renovo in Clinton County are receiving $1,019,386 to complete a freshwater infrastructure system, benefiting 302 customers. The water infrastructure in both boroughs was installed in the early 1900s, and the entire 1,670-foot waterline under Pine Street from the eastern side of 4th Street will be replaced. Upon completion, South Renovo borough will consolidate the water system with Renovo Borough, which will allow residents of South Renovo Borough to have lower user rates.
$1,518,812 will be going to updates on the water system in Herndon Borough/Jackson Township, Northumberland County. The current water treatment system consists of four wells, a collection basin, reservoir, water treatment facilities, 9,400 lineal feet of cast-iron water main along Route 147, and approximately 1,400 lineal feet of water distribution piping. The cast iron main line that runs from the reservoir and the main water line were part of the original water treatment system constructed in the late 1930s. The main water line will also likely not withstand right-of-way road construction that is slated for 2024. Upgrades will help the system’s 213 users, who have experienced disruptions due to breaks in the aged water lines.
Water system improvements to the Haines Aaronsburg Municipal Authority (HAMA) in Centre County are receiving $1,148,650. The funds will be used to install the raw water transmission main from Well No. 8 to the water treatment plant and to replace the old above-ground cast iron finished water transmission main from the plant to the distribution system. This phase will also replace and relocate the existing Henry Street pressure relief valve.
The Village of McAlisterville in Juniata County will receive $1,000,000 to drill and construct new wells and a water storage tank. Currently, the village is using a water system that gets a significant portion of its potable water from two springs fed by a nearby water source and the distribution lines from those springs were hand-laid in the early 1900s. The new storage tank will hold an estimated 150,000 gallons of water, giving McAlisterville and the system’s 501 users an adequate, emergency water supply. The completed additions to the water system will be located on the ridge above Dunn Valley Road.
“We are immensely proud of the hard work done by the counties and by the Community Development staff here at SEDA-COG. To receive one CDBG competitive grant in a year is an accomplishment, but to receive 4 is a major win for the residents of Renovo, South Renovo, Herndon Borough, Jackson Township, Aaronsburg, and McAlisterville. Special thanks go to Kristin McLaughlin, Linda Sterling, Mitzi Gallagher-Long, and Heather Weisen for the phenomenal partnerships they’ve built with our counties and communities. I would also like to thank all of the legislators and county commissioners for their help, they were integral to each project’s success,” said Tyler Dombroski, Director of the SEDA-COG Community Development Program.
According to Gov. Wolf’s press release, “CDBG funds enable communities to effectively address local community development needs by providing federal funds to develop viable communities through the provision of modest housing and a suitable living environment. Funds are also used to expand economic opportunities geared to low-and moderate-income individuals and to improve infrastructure critical to community health and welfare.”
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.
On Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 6-7 p.m., SEDA-COG will host a State of the City of Shamokin. This event will be held at Bamse Coffee & Roasters, located at 150 E Lincoln Street, Shamokin, PA 17872. There is a handicap accessible entrance on the side of the building. All are welcome, there is no RSVP necessary.
The purpose of this meeting is to keep the public informed on all the projects happening in the city and provide an opportunity for questions to be asked/answered. Sean Garrigan from Stromberg Garrigan & Associates will be providing project updates.
“There are a lot of wonderful things happening in Shamokin right now, and we know the citizens of Shamokin have been invested in the City’s progress from day one. This is a chance for people to learn about future plans for the City, ask questions, and provide their point of view,” said Rick Ulrich, Mayor of the City of Shamokin.
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.
Today, SEDA-COG’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was awarded the Housing Pioneer Award during the Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Commonwealth Housing Forum – the first ever organization to receive the award.
The goal has always been the same for SEDA-COG’s HDC: provide and maintain quality, safe, and affordable housing options for our region’s elderly population. This award is a reflection of the leadership and dedication shown by the HDC for over 20 years.
High Street Manor in Selinsgrove was the first project completed by SEDA-COG’s HDC in 1998. Since then, the HDC has completed nine additional housing facilities in Dalmatia, Danville, Flemington, Lewistown, Montoursville, and Williamsport. The HDC coordinates projects to buy land, secures financing, and oversees construction of rental housing for the area’s elderly population, especially those on fixed incomes. They also manage the rental complexes. Once completed, the apartments allow senior citizens to safely downsize while maintaining their independence.
“We do everything we can to help them, from troubleshooting cell phones to setting up remote classes on health and wellbeing. At the end of the day, we are doing everything we can to help the 62 and older populations live their best life at an affordable price,” says Leslie Osgood, Chief of Rental Operations.
PHFA’s biennial Housing Forum provides professional development opportunities for people working in the housing field. Attendees participate in a variety of focused educational sessions and hear from nationally recognized speakers. The 2022 program of events included 21 educational sessions, two keynote presentations, an Abraham Lincoln presenter who spoke on the topic of leadership, a tour of PHFA’s Passive House and LEED Platinum office addition, and a popular networking event. The conference ran May 11-12 and drew more than 450 attendees. This year, PHFA celebrated 25 years of producing its housing forums.
In addition to SEDA-COG, two others were also bestowed the Pioneer Award:
Jane Downing, senior program officer, economic and community development, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Pittsburgh
Ira Goldstein, president of policy solutions, Reinvestment Fund, Philadelphia.
“Our Housing Pioneer Awards are not bestowed often, which makes them a special and distinct honor,” said PHFA’s Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. “The two people and one organization being honored today have distinguished themselves over decades as champions for affordable housing. This recognition is intended to honor and thank them, and hopefully inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”
Osgood reflected on the historic nature of receiving this award as an organization.
“This work would not be possible if not for the tireless dedication of Ben Gair and Vanessa Hartman, Rental Housing Managers, our on-site building managers, and our maintenance staff. Typically, this award goes to an individual in our field. I am so proud that the PHFA is recognizing the village that it takes to provide seniors a safe and reliable place to live.”
Kim Wheeler, Executive Director of SEDA-COG, said, “The SEDA-COG HDC has been an invaluable resource to our area’s seniors since day one. We are beyond honored to be the first organization receiving this recognition from our peers, and we look forward to continuing to provide affordable housing options for the seniors in our region for many years to come.”
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.
