News – Page 59 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG Operational Response to COVID-19

Posted on March 25, 2020 by DNS Admin

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close the physical locations of non-life-sustaining businesses, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has closed its office(s) during this time, and in-person meetings have been cancelled/postponed.

We continue to serve you during this time of crisis. Staff are working remotely and are available by phone and email. This includes assistance to businesses and communities.

However, our Weatherization and Housing Rehabilitation work is not permitted to continue until the governor lifts his order because of in-home contact with clients. We will resume weatherization and housing rehabilitation services as soon as we are permitted.

Importantly, our Crisis services are still functioning. The Crisis program repairs a malfunctioning heating unit at no cost to residents who qualify for fuel assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Crisis program runs until April 15 this year. For residents whose heat source is malfunctioning, they should call their county assistance office. The county assistance office will forward the completed referral to SEDA-COG to assign to a subcontractor. We encourage any clients with questions or concerns to reach out to us at information@seda-cog.org and we will direct your inquiries to the relevant department.

Thank you, and stay safe!

SBA Disaster Assistance Criteria for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Posted on March 18, 2020March 24, 2020 by DNS Admin

PA businesses can now apply for disaster loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) implemented its disaster declaration for Pennsylvania so small businesses and private non-profits statewide can access SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help alleviate economic injury caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for each affected small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

The loans also are available to small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture businesses.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. To prepare for the online application, businesses are also encouraged to review the SBA Disaster Business Loan Application forms at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/PaperForms. Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339) or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

SBA’s partners can offer free assistance with reconstructing financial records, preparing financial statements and submitting the loan application. Partners include Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, Women’s Business Centers (WBC), and Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers, and local Chambers of Commerce. For the nearest offices, visit: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) can help direct and offer guidance to central Pennsylvania businesses. Please contact Doug Wilburn, director of Business Finance, at 570-524-4491 or dwilburn@seda-cog.org.

Businesses may also contact their local county resources, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop at business.dced@pa.gov or call 1-833-722-6778, option 0.

These SBA loans now have relaxed criteria as part of the Trump Administration’s aggressive, whole-of-government efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and minimize economic disruption to the nation’s 30 million small businesses.

The relaxed criteria will have two immediate impacts:

• Faster, Easier Qualification Process for States Seeking SBA Disaster Assistance. Historically, the SBA has required that any state or territory impacted by disaster provide documentation certifying that at least five small businesses have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a disaster, with at least one business located in each declared county/parish. Under the just-released, revised criteria, states or territories are only required to certify that at least five small businesses within the state/territory have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of where those businesses are located.

• Expanded, Statewide Access to SBA Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses. SBA disaster assistance loans are typically only available to small businesses within counties identified as disaster areas by a Governor. Under the revised criteria issued today, disaster assistance loans will be available statewide following an economic injury declaration. This will apply to current and future disaster assistance declarations related to coronavirus.

“We’re very encouraged that banks and financial institutions are responding to the President’s efforts to mobilize an unprecedented public-private response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. As a result, most small businesses that need credit during these uncertain times will be able to obtain it. However, our goal is to ensure that credit is available to any and all small businesses that need credit but are unable to access it on reasonable terms through traditional lending channels,” said Administrator Carranza. “To that end, the SBA is relaxing the criteria through which states or territories may formally request an economic injury declaration, effective immediately. Furthermore, once an economic injury declaration has been made in a state or territory, the new rules allow the affected small businesses within the state or territory to apply for a disaster assistance loan.”

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.

National Census day is April 1, 2020

Posted on March 5, 2020March 5, 2020 by DNS Admin

Many Pennsylvanians may wonder why the 2020 Census matters. There are three simple reasons. First, it’s in the Constitution that every resident must be counted every ten years. Second, it’s important to participate to make sure we have fair representation in Congress. And lastly, our census count will affect the next decade of federal spending, policy, and decision-making.

It’s about fair representation. The census is used to decide how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pennsylvania has 18 Congressional representatives. We used to have 19 but lost a seat after the 2010 Census.

Census data are used to decide how $675 billion in federal public funding is spent every year. Federal spending on programs like highway planning and construction, transit formula grants, and transit capital investment grants. Pennsylvania gets $26.8 billion annually from just our 16 largest federally-funded programs. That’s about $2,000 per Pennsylvanian each year.
Everyone counts. Be a good neighbor and spread awareness in your community. Information and outreach resources are available at pa.gov/census.

SEDA-COG secures $2.7 million in grant funding for Milton Borough for a new access road in Milton Industrial Park

Posted on February 19, 2020March 12, 2020 by DNS Admin

MILTON – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) helped Milton Borough secure nearly $2.7 million in state and federal grant funding to construct Marsh Road to improve access to five developable lots in the Milton Industrial Park. SEDA-COG assisted the borough with the submission of the grant applications to the federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The project will construct a new road to gain access to developable land in the industrial park. This new construction will allow The Patton Logistics Group to construct an $8 million, 143,000 sq. ft. distribution center and a $7 million, 130,000 sq. ft., industrial facility. The development is expected to create at least 60 permanent full-time jobs. Additionally, 30 existing companies within the industrial park will continue to use the road network, and this new project will allow those companies to have easier access to Interstate 80. The Patton Logistics Group is comprised of three separate organizations employing 580 people throughout the United States. Watsontown Trucking Company is a family-owned and operated asset-based motor carrier. They operate a fleet of 400 trucks and 1,150 trailers with a workforce of 500. Patton Logistics, LLC was organized in 2013 as an affiliated entity of Watsontown Trucking Company to provide transportation brokerage and third-party logistics services for its expanding customer base. Patton Warehousing, LLC was formed in 2015 and currently manages 2 million sq. ft. of warehouse space in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.

Steve Patton, the president of The Patton Logistics Group, is appreciative of the grant funding. “These grant funds will assist in the further expansion of our organization including the creation of at least 60 full-time permanent, non-construction jobs” Patton said. “The road will help our company realize considerable savings in current trucking costs associated with accessing Route 147.”

In addition to the grant funds, Milton Borough contributed $31,000 to the project and if necessary, the borough is committed to providing additional project funds. Current Borough Manager, Jessie Novinger, and former Borough Manager, Chuck Beck, were thrilled to learn of the grant awards. “Milton Borough has supported this project since its inception,” Novinger said. “We expect that this project will greatly improve the traffic flow within the Industrial Park and alleviate trucks and personal vehicles traveling through a high-density neighborhood and school zone.”

State Senator John Gordner (R-27) and State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) advocated for over $2 million in state funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Multimodal Transportation Fund for this project. “Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver and I have been supporting this project because this area is seeing substantial economic development interest due to its proximity to the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, which is the missing link in this heavily traveled highway system connecting the Maryland border to the New York State line,” Senator John Gordner said.

Congressman Fred Keller supported the federal grant application submitted to ARC. In late January, ARC awarded Milton Borough $697,659 to assist with the construction. “I thank the Appalachian Regional Commission for awarding this Local Access Road grant to Milton Borough for this important project that will bring welcomed investment and business expansion to the Milton area,” Congressman Keller said.

SEDA-COG Executive Director, Bill Seigel said these funds will provide critical infrastructure improvements in the Milton Industrial Park. “The grant funds and Milton Borough’s financial contributions were crucial to making this project happen,” Seigel said. “I want to thank the experienced SEDA-COG staff for completing the state and federal grant applications which allowed us to secure the $2.7 million of grant funds for Milton Borough. I’d also like to thank Milton Borough, Congressman Keller, Senator John Gordner, and Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver for their support of the applications.”

SEDA-Council of Governments 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.

For more information, please contact Kristen Moyer, community relations director, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7212 or kmoyer@seda-cog.org.