Category: News

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

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

Posted on by DNS Admin

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

Only two businesses in the county applied for the first phase of the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), which is now closed. The program originally opened March 15.

Juniata County was awarded a total of $280,475 for the program. From that, $30,000 was awarded to the two businesses, leaving $249,795 to be allocated before the program closes by June 15.

The County Commissioners said they hope more businesses apply before the funds are gone.

“The grant is only available until funds are exhausted or June 15 this year, whichever comes first,” the Commissioners said. “This is an opportunity to help our businesses further recover from the pandemic’s economic impacts, and we hope many take advantage of it.”

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 view full guidelines and apply at the Community Giving Foundation’s website at https://csgiving.org/chirp/

If Juniata County businesses need assistance with the completion of the application, they should contact Juniata County’s Planning & Community Development Director Brad Kerstetter at bkerstetter@juniataco.org or 717-436-7729.

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.

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.

Grant may offer no-cost home repairs for Mount Carmel Township

Grant may offer no-cost home repairs for Mount Carmel Township

Posted on by DNS Admin

A housing rehabilitation grant has been awarded to Mount Carmel Township, and residents are encouraged to apply now to get on the waiting list.

Plus, more dollars can now be spent per home than in previous grants, so homeowners can receive up to $65,000 instead of a limit of $35,000 in improvements.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) assists the homeowner through the whole process, said Teri Provost, director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“We help the homeowner from start to finish – from obtaining a contractor, managing the project, to anything that may arise during or after the rehabilitation process,” Provost said.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s Stacy Anderson at 800-326-9310, ext. 7215.

Qualifications:

  • Primary residence located in Mount Carmel Township
  • Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it
  • Meet income qualifications based on household size (below)
  • Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills
  • Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance
  • Live in the home an additional five years

Gross household income not to exceed:

  • 1 – $38,200
  • 2 – $43,650
  • 3 – $49,100
  • 4 – $54,550
  • 5 – $58,950

Additional requirements may apply.

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.

SEDA-COG to help Shamokin prepare for larger floodplain impacts

SEDA-COG to help Shamokin prepare for larger floodplain impacts

Posted on by DNS Admin

Shamokin’s preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps may go into effect this summer, and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is working to help residents prepare for its impacts thanks to a $130,000 state grant.

The updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show a larger 100-year floodplain area than the 2008 maps. The maps may require more residents to pursue flood mitigation measures such as purchasing flood insurance.

The maps were originally slated to go into effect this summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic may affect its timing.

To confirm the maps’ findings, SEDA-COG is conducting a Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H) Study for Shamokin Creek and its tributaries, which will include recommendations from a professional engineer, to help the City of Shamokin identify how the water moves and how to address its impacts.

The $130,000 grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is funding the study.

Betsy Kramer, SEDA-COG revitalization coordinator, thanked state Sen. John Gordner (R-27) and state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland) who helped secure the funding.

“We are grateful for their assistance with this grant which will benefit Shamokin residents. Flooding impacts communities regularly, but so does its costs. We want to assure residents with this study that the mitigation measures are truly needed as well as recommending the best solutions possible,” Kramer said.

SEDA-COG will leverage the grant and study in two key ways – by implementing solutions and educating residents on proactive approaches, said Teri Provost, SEDA-COG’s director of Flood Resiliency.

“After the study is complete, the City of Shamokin will be better poised to take further action to address the concerns surrounding the proposed development and the revitalization of the city. The study will provide public awareness and technical assistance to property owners on how they can better prepare themselves prior to the new FIRMs becoming effective this summer,” Provost said.

Mitigation measures could include a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), which could revise the Flood Insurance Rate Map, as well as implementation projects to mitigate the potential for flooding and improve resiliency for properties within the 100-year floodplain.

Conducting the H&H Study was an initiative addressed by the City of Shamokin’s Act 47 Three-Year Exit Plan which was released on Dec. 17, 2019.

SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program offers services related to flood resiliency and mitigation assistance both within and outside of its 11-county region. Its goal is to help break the damage cycle and stop its drain on people and communities. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/.

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

Lewisburg Borough recognizes Flood Safety Awareness Week

Lewisburg Borough recognizes Flood Safety Awareness Week

Posted on by DNS Admin

In recognition of Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week starting on March 22, Lewisburg Borough and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) are raising awareness of the dangers of flooding and the resources available to help borough residents prepare.

Lewisburg Borough Manager William Lowthert said it is crucial to know what to do before, during, and after a flood.

“Flooding is a natural disaster that we can prepare for in advance. It can be easy to avoid thinking about a flood until it happens, but there are simple ways to prepare for floods that work. We encourage residents to be proactive to help preserve their lives and properties,” Lowthert said.

In high-risk areas, there is a one-in-four chance of experiencing a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage and residents should consider purchasing flood insurance.

Safety tips to prepare for flooding include making a plan, building a go kit of supplies, knowing the types of flood risk in the borough (both river and stream flooding), signing up for emergency alerts, practicing evacuation routes and shelter plans, buying flood insurance, keeping important documents in a waterproof container, and proactively protecting property. More information about flood safety and preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov/flood.

SEDA-COG will publicize more safety tips the week of March 22 on its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The borough contracts with SEDA-COG to provide professional and administrative services for the Community Rating System (CRS), which gives its residents a 10% flood insurance premium discount for all properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and a 5% discount for all other properties. If residents’ properties are not mapped as that area, they still may qualify for a lower-cost preferred risk policy.

For more information about flood hazards, flood protection, or for a site inspection, residents may contact Lewisburg Borough at 570-523-3614 or office@lewisburgborough.org or SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program at 570-524-4491 ext. 7218.

Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week is held the fourth full week in March each year.

SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program offers services related to flood resiliency and mitigation assistance both within and outside of its 11-county region. Its goal is to help break the damage cycle and stop its drain on people and communities. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/.