Regional – SEDA Council of Governments

ARC Accepting Applications for Summer Study Programs in Entrepreneurship and STEM for Region’s Middle and High School Students

Posted on November 5, 2025November 6, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Applications are due December 3rd for Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy and Appalachian STEM Academy.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2025 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) opened applications for two summer study opportunities: the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) and the Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge. Both programs, planned for summer 2026 and subject to available funding, are free intensive learning experiences specifically for the Appalachian Region’s high school and/or middle school students and teachers. 

The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA), developed in partnership with Appalachian State University and STEM West, prepares the next generation of regional entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers. High school students from across Appalachia will be selected to participate in a comprehensive learning curriculum designed to sharpen business and economic development acumen and develop skills essential for entrepreneurial success. The students will have the opportunity to develop and implement business ideas, refine and prototype those ideas, and deliver a pitch presentation for an audience of entrepreneurs. AEA will be held from July 11-24, 2026, at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

The Appalachian STEM Academy is a hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields. Hosted by  Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this program is a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the Appalachian Region. High school participants will work with award-winning scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and both high school and middle school students will conduct guided group science, math, computer science, and technology research projects. High school teachers will work with science practitioners to develop STEM-related curriculum. Many students gain their first exposure to applied science and STEM education through this experience.  STEM Academy sessions will take place on the following dates:

Middle School STEM Academy Session 1: July 11-17, 2026

Middle School STEM Academy Session 2: July 18-24, 2026

High School STEM Academy: July 11-24, 2026

Applications for both opportunities are due December 3, 2025. 

“Appalachia is home to hardworking and ambitious students who will hopefully one day be leaders across the region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “When we invest in Appalachia’s students, we invest in thoughtful growth for the region’s workforce and a strong economic future. I will be excited to see all the energy and accomplishments of the next classes of ARC’s Appalachian STEM Academy and Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy.”

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Public Notice – Union County CDBG Budget Modification

Posted on February 5, 2021 by DNS Admin

RUN DATE: February 5, 2021
CONTACT: Rachel Radel, (570) 524-4491 ext. 7236

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Union County Commissioners intend to submit a budget modification for the FFY 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED). The Union County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the budget modification on February 18, 2021, at 11:00 AM. Keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19, this hearing will take place as a virtual video web and tele conference. The public is invited to observe and participate in the hearing 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 hearing will be recorded. The hearing platform is accessible to persons with disabilities. If accommodations are needed for those with special needs related to language, sight, or hearing, please call (570) 524-4491 at least five days in advance. As an alternative, Union County will accept written comments on the proposed modification until 12:00 PM. on Monday, March 1, 2021. Written comments can be emailed to mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org or mailed to SEDA-COG at 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837. The Union County Commissioners will then consider the approval of the modification request during their regularly scheduled meeting on March 2, 2021 at 2 PM.

The modified budget is as follows:

FFY 2019
Limestone (Bull) Run Area Flood Resiliency:
Current Budget – $89,707; Modification $(89,707); Modified Budget $0

Emergency Notification:
Current Budget – $0; Modification $89,707 ; Modified Budget $89,707

The Union County Commissioners will accept written public comments on the budget modification until Monday, March 1, 2021 at 12:00 PM. Union County will make every effort to make all programs and activities accessible to the learning, mobility, vision, hearing, and language-impaired persons. Therefore, if you are a person with a disability or limited English proficiency, and require an auxiliary aid, service, or accommodations to participate please contact Rachel Radel at SEDA-COG, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837, rradel@seda-cog.org, (570) 524-4491, or 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD to discuss how Union County can best accommodate your needs. Translators will be available upon request.

Any complaints should be written and submitted to Mitzi Gallagher-Long, at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), mgallagherlong@seda-cog.org. Written responses will be addressed within fifteen (15) working days, when practicable.

Übersetzer sind für die öffentliche Sitzung auf Anfrage erhältlich.

Traductores estarán disponibles en las reunions públicas por petición.

Statewide broadband expansion effort awarded $600K grant

Posted on January 12, 2021January 13, 2021 by DNS Admin

Pennsylvania will see a coordinated statewide effort to expand highspeed internet access thanks to a $600,000 grant made possible by strong legislative support in the Pennsylvania state House and Senate. The grant bolsters SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) broadband expansion project in the Snow Shoe Township area of Centre County.

Mike Fisher, SEDA-COG assistant executive director, thanked state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-34), state House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), state Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), and state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Centre/Clinton) for their support in securing the grant.

“We are grateful to our legislators who recognize the crucial importance of expanding highspeed internet service to our communities and businesses, especially in these difficult times,” Fisher said. “Their efforts to secure this grant underscore a steadfast commitment to ensure that our region has access to essential broadband and technology resources now, not years from now – we couldn’t do our work without their support.”

The Keystone Communities grant was awarded to the seven Local Development Districts (LDDs) that serve 52 Pennsylvania counties. The grant complements a previous $600,000 Appalachian Regional Commission POWER broadband grant supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) awarded to the LDDs to undertake broadband expansion throughout the state.

“We truly appreciate the partnership we have with our legislative champions and the team at DCED,” Fisher said.

The LDDs are multi-county organizations providing services such as community and economic development, transportation, international trade, strategic planning, and much more. Counties share information through their LDD, respond to common concerns, and develop solutions to today’s critical issues. For over 40 years, Pennsylvania’s LDDs have taken the lead in community and business initiatives, coordinating and delivering services on behalf of their member counties as well as the Commonwealth.

SEDA-COG is one of the seven LDDs and serves 11 central Pennsylvania counties.

The LDDs will coordinate to identify areas of Pennsylvania that need broadband and then expand coverage by either providing it or incentivizing internet service providers to expand service.

As a result, broadband will be expanded to a total of 410 businesses, 860 homes, and 13 communities throughout the LDDs’ statewide regions.

The LDDs that will identify areas that need broadband are Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission, and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

The following LDDs have identified underserved areas and will expand broadband service: North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), and Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission.

All projects are anticipated to be completed over the next 12 to 18 months.

Using $105,000 from the Keystone Communities grant and $105,000 from ARC POWER funds, SEDA-COG will establish a $210,000 grant program to incentivize internet service providers to provide broadband in the Snow Shoe area.

The project will provide 100/100 symmetrical internet speeds for at least five to 10 businesses and 50/10 for 50 to 100 households.

The infrastructure will be owned and operated by the internet service provider who is awarded the project through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. SEDA-COG will release the RFP over the next several weeks.

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.

SUMMER STEM camp opportunity for students and teachers

Posted on January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 by DNS Admin

The federal Appalachian Regional Commission released information for a summer STEM camp for middle and high school students as well as high school teachers at the Oak Rid National Laboratory in Tennessee.

The Application period for Oak Ridge will close on Friday, February 28th 2020.

The 2020 ARC summer STEM program information has been posted on the ARC website at ARC Oak Ridge 2020 Summer STEM Programs

• Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2020 High School Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute for students and teachers.

• Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2020 Middle School Summer Science Academy for students.

The numbers of participants and applications that may be submitted are limited as follows:

• The high school program will be limited to a maximum of 52 participants: 26 students and 26 teachers. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will not be able to accommodate any additional participants.

• ARC will accept a maximum of ten high school applications per state (students and teachers combined). We encourage you to nominate at least four students and four teachers from each state; this includes “alternates” to fill the positions of those who change their minds.

The middle school program will be limited to a maximum of 26 student participants (students only, no teachers).

• ARC will accept a maximum of five middle school applications per state, two designated participants and up to three alternates. ARC encourages states to select all applicants from the same school, as this provides a better experience for the students and eases transportation arrangements.

ARC-ORNL Summer-STEM 2020 Flyer Download