News – Page 7 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority Celebrates 40 Years of Service: A Milestone for Local Short-Line Railroad

Posted on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023 by DNS Admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2023

LEWISBURG, PA – SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA), a leading short-line railroad serving 9 counties in Central Pennsylvania proudly announces its momentous achievement of 40 years of dedicated service. Established in 1983, the JRA has been an integral part of the local transportation industry, providing reliable rail freight services and fostering economic growth throughout the region through its private-public partnership with the North Shore Railroad. Consisting of 6 shortline railroads, the JRA serves over 100 customers, and in 2022 rail traffic topped 21,000 carloads.

As the JRA commemorates this significant milestone, it reflects on four decades of exceptional service, growth, and contributions to the communities it serves. With over 200 miles of rail lines spanning 9 counties, including Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. The JRA has been a vital link in rail transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods, and supporting the local economy.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 40 years as an organization,” said Steven Beattie, Executive Director of the Joint Rail Authority. “Throughout the years, our dedicated team and our operator, the North Shore Railroad, have worked tirelessly to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation solutions to our customers. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the communities we serve, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence for many years to come.”

The JRA’s impact on the local economy has been significant, fostering job creation, attracting new industries, and supporting the growth of existing businesses. By providing a reliable and cost-effective rail transportation alternative, the short-line railroad has helped reduce congestion on roadways, lower carbon emissions, and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Over the years, the JRA has built strong partnerships with local businesses, industries, and agricultural producers, becoming an essential component of their success. By offering efficient freight services, the railroad has facilitated the movement of a wide range of goods, including raw materials, agricultural products, finished goods, and more.

To learn more about SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority’s 40 years of service and its ongoing commitment to the local community, please visit www.sedacograil.org or contact Steven Beattie, Joint Rail Authority Executive Director at (570) 524-4491.

About SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority
The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority’s mission is to preserve and foster rail service in Central Pennsylvania and to further economic development through retention, improvement and expansion of the infrastructure and the rail service it supports.

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

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities
www.seda-cog.org

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Kramer Receives Designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council

Posted on June 7, 2023June 7, 2023 by DNS Admin

News Release
June 2, 2023

Betsy Kramer, CEcD, EDP Revitalization Coordinator

Lewisburg, PA – Betsy Kramer, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Revitalization Coordinator, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The CEcD Certification Program is the most prestigious designation in the economic development profession. Kramer was 1 of 32 economic development professionals nationwide who earned the designation. Additionally, in 2022, Kramer earned the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) accreditation, also from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The IEDC administered the written CEcD Exam on May 8, 2023, and notified candidates of their results on May 17, 2023. Working in economic development for over 6 years, Kramer is currently assisting the city of Shamokin with economic revitalization and community resiliency. She has extensive experience in facilitating communication and collaboration with volunteer organizations, non-profits, elected officials, business community and investors to achieve a unified revitalization mission.

The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:

• business retention and expansion
• finance & credit analysis
• marketing and attraction
• strategic planning
• entrepreneurial & small business development
• managing economic development organizations
• neighborhood development strategies
• real estate development & reuse
• technology-led economic development
• workforce development strategies
• foreign direct investment & exporting

As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves wellbeing, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently over 1,200 active CEcDs in the United States.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.

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.

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

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities
www.seda-cog.org

City of Lock Haven Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on March 28, 2023 by

The City of Lock Haven had received a housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the City limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The City will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The City shall also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

Interested residents may call SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) Ruth Wiest at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7252.

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.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division.

Ruch continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in the City limits of Lock Haven;

• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;

• Meet income qualifications based on household size;

• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;

• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;

• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;

• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $40,800; 2 – $46,600; 3 – $52,450; 4 – $58,250; 5 – $62,950; 6 – $67,600; 7 – $72,250; 8 – $76,900.

Borough of Jersey Shore Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on March 28, 2023 by

The Borough of Jersey Shore had received a $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the Borough limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The Borough will provide up to $50,000 of rehabilitation grant assistance and an additional $15,000 for lead-based reduction work to eligible homeowners. If it is determined that after rehabilitation the value of the property will exceed established maximum purchase price after rehabilitation, the property will then be considered ineligible for funding assistance.

In order to make the same amount of grant aid available to each approved applicant, each approved applicant shall have a total of $65,000 made available from the grant.