Category: News

Mifflin County Academy Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

Mifflin County Academy Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

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The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology was recently awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in the amount of $500,000 to support the school’s expansion project.

With the assistance of Delta Development Group, Inc. in Camp Hill, The Academy has secured over $7 million in state and federal funding to construct a heavy equipment/diesel technician training facility. The project will be located at The Academy’s existing campus at 700 Pitt Street, Lewistown, PA. The ARC funds will be used to purchase the heavy equipment utilized in the new programs.

“The goal of this expansion project is to provide local, affordable training opportunities and address the demand for a skilled workforce in rural PA,” explained Mike McMonigal, Supervisor of Adult Education at The Academy. “We are very grateful for the support of the Appalachian Regional Commission for investing in our local workforce development.”

The need for postsecondary education has been growing in recent years, as businesses report a lack of skilled workers to fill their open positions, and as the income gap between college and high school graduates widens. The need for a skilled workforce is also fueled by the manufacturing, construction, and transportation industries relying more heavily on technology. Employers in these industries and organizations are demanding that new hires and incumbent workers possess applicable skills and achieve industry certifications and licensures.

The Academy expansion project is expected to allow regional employers to create and fill currently vacant jobs rather than exporting related service work to other regions. This program will also help retain local talented youth who currently need to relocate to other areas to become properly trained to pursue these jobs. The Academy intends to train 20 students per program for a total of 40 students per year.

The Academy’s partnering employers estimate that they will be able to create 24 new jobs collectively in the first year that trainees are available. In total, these employers anticipate that during the nine-year analysis period, approximately 125 new jobs will be created, and 15 jobs will be retained.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Lockwood, Director of Project Development and Grants, submitted the ARC application for the equipment on behalf of the Academy. The application itself was prepared by the Delta Development Group.

Regarding the benefits of the grant, Lockwood said, “The ARC investment into this project will enable industry sectors in the areas of transportation, warehousing, and construction to expand within Mifflin County and the SEDA-COG Region.”

The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania.  PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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.

Mount Carmel Receives Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Mount Carmel Receives Housing Rehabilitation Grant

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Housing rehabilitation grants were recently awarded to Mount Carmel Township and Borough.

Both the Township and Borough are receiving $300,000 for no-cost home repairs for eligible residents. Qualified residents may receive up to $50,000 for housing rehabilitation expenses. Mount Carmel Township residents may qualify for an additional $15,000 to address lead-based paint hazard reduction.

The funds are from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME.) HOME is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians.

“Pennsylvanians deserve safe, up-to-code, and accessible spaces to call home,” said Gov. Tom Wolf in the press release announcing the funding. “The HOME funding will help provide access to these spaces to individuals across the commonwealth…”

Teri Provost, Chief of SEDA-COG’s Community Services Division, spoke of the value of the program.

“We are passionate about empowering our communities to have the best, most affordable housing possible by rehabilitating existing homes at no cost to eligible homeowners,” Provost said. “When we partner with communities on these efforts, it helps the homeowner, it maintains the communities’ tax base, and it increases property values.”

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

Qualifications:

• Must live in the Township or Borough limits of Mount Carmel;

• 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 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.

SEDA-COG oversees the entire process for the homeowner.

“We make the project easy on the homeowner by managing it from start to finish, including obtaining the contractor,” Provost said.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority Announces New Executive Director

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority Announces New Executive Director

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SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Steven Beattie is the new Executive Director of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA.)

Beattie began his career as a project manager for area engineering consulting firms, including Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., where he managed the Lewisburg office. He later joined the Larson Design Group where he worked in a multitude of roles: Site/Civil Engineering Senior Project Manager, Retail Design Senior Project Manager, and the Director of Sales and Marketing. He most recently served as the Community Development/Grant Manager for the Borough of Lewisburg.

Since 1998, Beattie has served numerous roles for engineering consulting firms in the SEDA-COG region. Throughout his career he has served municipal, commercial, industrial, and institutional clients managing projects through the design, funding, and construction phases. His latest accomplishment includes leading the effort to secure over $3.4 million in funds for the Borough of Lewisburg over an 18-month period.

In addition, Beattie has obtained various licenses and certifications throughout the course of his career, including being a Notary Public, a Licensed Landscape Architect, and having received the Advanced Emergency Certification for the role of municipal emergency management coordinator.

Beattie’s major goals as Executive Director include preserving and expanding upon the legacy the JRA has built in our surrounding communities.

“My top priority, as I take on this role, is to continue the work started by the Joint Rail Authority dating back to 1983. In doing this, I plan to promote economic development in the region, ensure our industries have access to rail, and maintain our rail infrastructure to support our customers and their growth,” Beattie said.

Beattie is coming on board to replace the retiring Executive Director, Jeff Stover. Stover has been with SEDA-COG since 1985. He started his career as the Manager of Transportation and throughout his tenure became the Chief of Transportation and the Executive Director of the JRA.

SEDA-COG JRA Board President, Russ Graham, is excited to see what’s next for the Authority under the guidance of Beattie.

“The JRA has been extremely fortunate to have had Jeff Stover as our Executive Director for the past 37 years. His professionalism and knowledge of our rail system has been instrumental in countless economic development and railroad upgrade projects over the years. Jeff will be difficult to replace, however we are confident in Steven, and we look forward to working with him as we move into the next chapter of the JRA. Steven’s background in the engineering field and his experience in intergovernmental relationships will be a huge asset to the JRA,” Graham said.

Beattie earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University’s College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design. He later went on to earn his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Zeigler College of Business.

Beattie stressed the role that rail plays in the overall success of our area.

“I have always been a proponent of economic development in our region, whether that is through small businesses in our downtowns, tourism, or large manufacturers. Rail served industries in our region provide family sustaining employment opportunities for our hardworking, educated, and skilled workforce. The JRA’s role in maintaining and growing rail service in the region is critical to the success of these businesses and our regional economy,” Beattie said.

The primary mission of the JRA is to preserve essential rail freight service and to further economic development and job creation in the region through improvement and expansion of rail infrastructure. Since the inception of the JRA, the Authority’s presence has grown from five counties to nine (Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.) The 80 miles of rail line it preserved through the North Shore and Nittany & Bald Eagle lines has grown to 215 miles with the inclusion of the Juniata Valley, Lycoming Valley, and Shamokin Valley railroads, and an extension of the Nittany. The dramatic success of the Authority’s short-line railroad system has been cited in national publications and by distinguished organizations at every level, private and public.

SUN-Tech Program Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

SUN-Tech Program Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

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SUN Area Technical Institute (SUN-Tech) was recently awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in the amount of $85,088 for Mechatronics training equipment.

SUN-Tech, which serves Snyder, Union, and Northumberland County in Central PA recently added a Mechatronics Program to its list of course offerings.

There is a need for skilled and trained personnel in the Mechatronics field in the region. By adding a Mechatronics Program to SUN-Tech, and enhancing the program with industry standard equipment, students access to equipment and technology used in the field for Mechatronics training will translate into learned job skills to fill high priority positions in the region. These positions can earn $40,000 entry level, and $60,000 for experienced level, and are expected to see an increase in employment of around 8% by 2028.

The curriculum for this course will cover: Electrical Systems, National Electrical Code, Robotics, Circuits, Programmable Logic Controls, Electric Motor Controls, Pneumatics, Mechanical Power Transmissions, Fluid Power Systems, Troubleshooting and Repair. The program will be aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Program of Study for CIP Code 15.0403 and state approved industry credentials and NOCTI Exam (#8094).

Jobs in the mechatronics field include a variety of occupations which include engineers, mechanical engineers, hydraulic specialist, pneumatic specialists, PLC troubleshooting, maintenance managers, maintenance technicians, industrial maintenance automation technical/manager, and plant managers.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Lockwood, Director of Project Development and Grants, submitted the ARC application for the equipment on behalf of SUN-Tech. Regarding the benefits of the grant, Lockwood said, “Considering the rapidly growing field of Mechatronics, it was imperative that our area have access to the latest and most advanced equipment, curriculum, and training aids to expand and strengthen skill development and ensure long-term employment success in central PA. I am thrilled for the innovation opportunity this provides SUN-Tech and for the adult learners and recent high school graduates who will be able to take part in this program.”

“SUN-Tech appreciates the generosity of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Their willingness to assist in funding this initiative will help our graduates secure meaningful employment opportunities that are significantly above entry level. With the help of the ARC and SEDA-COG, our students will possess real-world problem-solving skills, desirable technical competencies and be cross trained in several disciplines. Putting some of the most advanced training equipment that is on the market in their hands will be a big part of that training,” said David Bacher, SUN-Tech Administrative Director.

The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania.  PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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.