News – Page 31 – SEDA Council of Governments

FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP NOTICE – CENTRE COUNTY

Posted on April 22, 2021May 18, 2021 by DNS Admin

CENTRE COUNTY AND
CENTRE COUNTY ON BEHALF OF
BELLEFONTE BOROUGH
FFY 2021
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP NOTICE

The Centre County Commissioners plan to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. For Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2021, the County’s estimated allocation is $322,000. The County will also include in its application CDBG funds estimated at $106,000 on behalf of Bellefonte Borough.

A Public Hearing and Project Development Workshop will be held on May 5, 2021, at 6:00 PM. A public hearing pertaining specifically to Bellefonte Borough will be held on May 17, 2021 at 6:00 PM. Keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19, the hearings will take place as a virtual video web and tele conference. The public is invited to observe and participate in either one or both of the public hearings as follows: To access via web video, type the link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/8383951780. To access via telephone dial +1 470-869-2200 and enter Meeting ID: 838 395 1780. The hearings will be recorded.

These hearings are accessible to individuals with disabilities and persons with Limited English Proficiency. If you wish to attend and have a disability or Limited English Proficiency and require special accommodations, please notify the CDBG Administrator, Mitzi Gallagher-Long at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing at 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org to make such arrangements.

Proposed project activities must meet one or more of three objectives: benefit low- and moderate-income persons; prevent or eliminate slums or blight; and/or alleviate immediate threats to the health and safety of the community. The Centre County Commissioners will commit not less than 70% of the total funds, after administration costs, to projects which principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons (LMI). Housing, community and economic development activities are eligible; examples include housing rehab, demolition or improvement of blighted property and public works projects. A list of eligible activities can be found in Section 105(s) of the Housing and Community Development Act (P.L. 93-383) as amended.

The purpose of the public hearings and project development workshop is to discuss the CDBG Program, receive public input on proposed activities and/or proposals for new activities. Centre County and Bellefonte Borough also wish to receive public comment on potential environmental impacts, the previous use of CDBG funds, and the Three-Year Community Development Plans. All interested parties that are unable to attend may present written comments and project ideas in advance of the scheduled hearing to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at 570-524-4491 or mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org. Interested applicants should contact the Centre County Commissioners, as soon as possible for funding consideration, but in no case later than May 24, 2021. Activities for Bellefonte Borough should be addressed to the Borough at or before the first hearing on May 17, 2021. Grant application submission deadline is anticipated to be October of 2021, which subject to change.

No displacement is anticipated and every effort will be made to avoid or minimize displacement and relocation. Should displacement be required, the applicant is responsible for replacing all low- and moderate-income housing units that are demolished or converted. At this hearing, Centre County will disclose the types and levels of assistance that it would make available if persons were to be displaced by CDBG-funded activities.

Centre County does not discriminate in access to, participation in, or treatment or employment in its federally funded programs or services. In the event the public believes that discrimination, denied accessibility, or denied equal opportunity has occurred, Centre County’s Section 504 officer, Krista Davis, may be reached at 814-548-1055 or accessibility@centrecountypa.gov.

Technical assistance will be provided upon request to any groups or persons, especially LMI persons or their representatives, when developing proposals intending to use CDBG funds. The Centre County Commissioners will strive to make all programs and activities accessible to the learning, mobility, vision, hearing, and language-impaired persons. If you have a disability or limited English proficiency and require an auxiliary aid or accommodations, please contact Rachel Radel at SEDA-COG, 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD to discuss your needs. Translators will be available upon request.

Any complaints should be written and submitted to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at SEDA-COG, 570-524-4491 or 1-800-332-6701, TTY: 1-800-654-5984, TDD: 1-800-654-5988 or mgallagherlong@seda-corg.org. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

Übersetzer sind für die öffentliche Sitzung auf Anfrage erhältlich.

可應要求提供翻譯服務

Переводчики будут доступны по запросу

April 2021 SEDA-COG Board of Directors Meeting

Posted on April 20, 2021May 5, 2021 by DNS Admin

Notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the SEDA COG Board of Directors has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 28th, at 1:00 p.m. In keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID-19, this meeting will take place virtually, with the option to join via teleconference.

To attend this public meeting, please click on the following link:

https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/6124697268 and follow the prompts.

To access via telephone, please call +1(470)869-2200 and enter Meeting ID: 612 469 7268. The meeting will be recorded.

Second phase open for COVID relief grants for Clinton County hospitality businesses

Posted on April 15, 2021 by DNS Admin

The second phase of a new COVID-19 relief grant is now open for eligible hospitality industry businesses, and the Clinton County Commissioners are urging more businesses to apply.

During the now-closed first phase of the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), seven businesses in the county were awarded $185,000. This leaves $252,560 to be allocated for businesses in the county before the program closes by June 15.

County Commissioner Miles Kessinger said while they know the need is tremendous for businesses in the county, they hope to see more businesses apply before the program closes or the funds are gone.

“These are grants that directly help our county’s hospitality businesses that are struggling from the pandemic’s impacts, so we hope to see more businesses apply as soon as possible,” Kessinger said.

Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 to help alleviate 2020 revenue losses and pay for eligible operating expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For-profit hospitality businesses can apply at the Community Giving Foundation’s website at https://csgiving.org/chirp/

Eligible hospitality industry businesses must be for-profit businesses which include hotels, restaurants, bars, and taverns. These businesses must fall within eligible industry codes which include the Accommodations subsector NAICS code (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places subsector (722) found here: https://www.naics.com/search/

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, having fewer than 300 full-time employees; a net worth that does not exceed $15 million; a 25% reduction in gross receipts in 2020 compared to 2019; and be located within Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, or Union counties.

Priority will be given to businesses that did not already receive COVID relief funds; that were subject to closure following the disaster emergency declared by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 6, 2020; or had more than a 50% reduction in gross receipts from March 31, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019. For a full listing of eligibility requirements and prioritization guidelines, visit www.csgiving.org/chirp

The county contracted with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to manage the CHIRP grant on its behalf. SEDA-COG will receive the applications, determine eligibility for grant amounts, and disburse the funds to qualifying businesses.

The grant program was created from the law Act 1 of 2021, which was passed Feb. 5, 2021. Statewide, it provides $145 million in funding assistance to the hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG Grants Manager Betsy Lockwood at 570-522-7265 or elockwood@seda-cog.org.

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 communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Second phase now open for COVID relief grants for Mifflin County hospitality businesses

Posted on April 14, 2021 by DNS Admin

The second phase of a new COVID-19 relief grant is now open for eligible hospitality industry businesses, and the Mifflin County Commissioners are urging more businesses to apply.

During the now-closed first phase of the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), six businesses in the county were awarded $120,000. This leaves $400,536 to be allocated for businesses in the county before the program closes by June 15.

County Commissioner Kevin Kodish said funds are only available until funds are exhausted or June 15 this year.

“While we are honored to have assisted six businesses, we know far more are hurting from the pandemic’s economic impacts, and we urge them to apply as soon as possible before the program closes or funds are gone,” Kodish said.