Category: Community Development

City of Sunbury Receives $1M Grant to Support Phase-two of the Susquehanna Avenue Stormwater and Sewer Separation Project

City of Sunbury Receives $1M Grant to Support Phase-two of the Susquehanna Avenue Stormwater and Sewer Separation Project

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA — With the assistance of SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), The City of Sunbury was awarded $1,000,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Discretionary Program for Phase Two of the Susquehanna Avenue Stormwater and Sewer Separation Project.

The city’s aging water distribution system, which supplies drinking water and supports firefighting through hydrants, needs repairs to ensure an adequate supply for both uses. The sewage system, which does not separate stormwater from sewage, is also outdated, and its pipes are too small to handle increased flow during heavy rain. During storms, the system and the city’s treatment plant become overwhelmed, causing flooding and sewage backups into streets and properties.

Phase Two will continue work started in Phase One, which covered Susquehanna Avenue from Reagan Street to Packer Street, by upgrading the water and sewer systems along Susquehanna Avenue from Packer Street to Julia Street and sewer separation on Fort Augusta Avenue.

Crews will replace old sewer pipes that are cracked and too small for today’s needs. It will also build a separate stormwater system with new storm drains to help water flow off streets. The upgraded water system will include new mains, shut-off valves, fire hydrants, and connections to homes and businesses. Once the underground construction is completed, work will begin to rebuild the street, curbs, and sidewalks along Susquehanna Avenue.

In addition, improvements will be made to the Reagan Street pump station to handle more flow and reduce costs. And a previously closed drainage structure will be reopened to help the city’s stormwater system manage heavy rain more effectively.

Work is expected to being in Spring 2026 and last through November 2026.

Upon completion, the upgraded water system will ensure safe drinking water and reliable fire protection for the City’s residents and businesses. The construction of a separate stormwater system and upgrades to the sewer system will keep rainwater and wastewater separated, reducing strain on the treatment plant and helping prevent flooding and sewage backups during heavy storms.

Susquehanna Avenue is the only access point to the former Celotex property, which the city is redeveloping to attract new industry and create jobs. These infrastructure improvements will help advance those efforts.

The application for funding was prepared and submitted by SEDA-COG on behalf of the City of Sunbury and was supported by local stakeholders and state and federal officials including U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, state Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, state Rep. Michael Stender, the Northumberland County Planning office, and the Sunbury Municipal Authority, who offered letters of support for the application.

“Sunbury has been working hard to modernize its aging water and sewer infrastructure, and this grant is an important step forward,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser. “Upgrading these outdated systems will protect homes and businesses from flooding, improve water quality and fire protection, and strengthen the city’s ability to attract new employers to the former Celotex site. I was glad to support the City’s application, and I appreciate SEDA-COG and our state and local partners for their commitment to Sunbury’s long-term growth.”

The total project cost for Phase Two is $5.5 million. Additional funding is being provided through the City’s 2023 and 2024 CDBG allocations, federal appropriations through Rep. Dan Meuser’s office, local matching funds, an H20 grant, and Northumberland County ARPA funds.

The 2024 CDBG Discretionary funds awarded for this project are part of more than $6.2 million in Community Development Block Grant allocations distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to communities across the Commonwealth.

“The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of making investments through CDBG and similar programs to create safe and healthy communities for all Pennsylvanians to live, work, and play, and these awards help make that vision a reality,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger in the press release issued by DCED. “We will continue to make investments like these that address the most critical needs facing our communities.”

About SEDA-COG
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.

Centre County Secures $1.23M in State Funding for Eagle Creek Sewer Project

Centre County Secures $1.23M in State Funding for Eagle Creek Sewer Project

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA — With the assistance of SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), Centre County was awarded $1,235,000 through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Discretionary Program to fund the Eagle Creek Sewer project, a critical infrastructure upgrade that will protect public health and preserve affordable housing.

Eagle Creek is a unique mobile home community where residents own both their homes and the land beneath them. Currently, the community relies on an aging on-site wastewater treatment plant managed by the homeowner’s association.

This investment will address long-standing regulatory concerns with the on-site wastewater treatment plant by connecting the Eagle Creek community to the public sewer system operated by Mid-Centre Authority in Unionville Borough, ensuring a reliable, modern wastewater solution.

Affordable housing is essential to maintaining stability for families, supporting the local workforce, and fostering economic growth. Without this CDBG funding, costs for residents would have increased 240% above the area’s affordability rate, threatening the loss of affordable housing options in Centre County.

This project safeguards the health and financial security of Eagle Creek residents, preserves affordable housing, and strengthens the region’s infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and improving quality of life for the greater Centre County community.

The application for funding was prepared and submitted by SEDA-COG on behalf of Centre County and was supported by residents, local leaders, and state and federal legislators, including U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, Pennsylvania Sen. Cris Dush, Pennsylvania Sen. Wayne Langerholc, and Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Takac who provided letters of support for the application.

“Connecting to the existing public sewer system is the solution for the long-term,” said U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson. “Through partnerships at the local, state, and federal level we can continue to innovate and adapt when it comes to affordable housing solutions in our growing region.”

In a separate statement, state Rep. Paul Takac said, “This funding is essential to keeping service costs reasonable for the homeowners while addressing critical infrastructure issues. A well-functioning sewer system is among the most essential elements of a community’s overall health and well-being.”

These funds are part of more than $6.2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development across the Commonwealth.

“The Shapiro Administration understands the importance of making investments through CDBG and similar programs to create safe and healthy communities for all Pennsylvanians to live, work, and play, and these awards help make that vision a reality,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger in the press release issued by DCED. “We will continue to make investments like these that address the most critical needs facing our communities.”

About SEDA-COG
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.

SEDA-COG Helps Bridge $1.5 Million Funding Gap for Route 147 Waterline Project

SEDA-COG Helps Bridge $1.5 Million Funding Gap for Route 147 Waterline Project

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) played a key role in helping the Herndon Borough-Jackson Township Joint Municipal Authority (HBJTJMA) secure an additional $1.5 million in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding to complete the final phase of the Route 147 Waterline Replacement project.

Earlier phases of the project included construction of a new treatment facility, new water metering systems, and a conversion from gas to liquid chlorination to eliminate underground chlorine gas storage. The final phase will replace over two miles of deteriorating cast iron water pipes, some of which are more than 90 years old.

Addressing these aging infrastructure issues has become increasingly urgent, but recent developments complicated the path forward. In June, bids for the final phase came in $1.5 million over the available budget. Additionally, previously secured funds needed to be spent by the end of this year. Without the needed funding, only part of the project could proceed, putting the water system at continued risk.

Leveraging its expertise in community development and grant acquisition, SEDA-COG worked quickly with the Authority and other partners to identify and secure the additional funding needed to keep the project on track.

“Thanks to SEDA-COG’s decisive leadership, our project is back on track and poised to deliver lasting benefits to our community,” said Judi Deppen of the Herndon Borough–Jackson Township Joint Municipal Authority.

Deppen continued, “we couldn’t have done this without the expertise and support of SEDA-COG and project coordinator Tonia Troup, who sought solutions when none seemed available. As a small town without the resources to manage this on our own, we’re incredibly grateful. I believe other small communities like ours should know about the tremendous resources SEDA-COG offers.”

“We also couldn’t have done this without the backing of the Northumberland County Commissioners and Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver,” said Tonia Troup, SEDA-COG project coordinator. “And, of course, the quick action at the state level from DCED.”

Currently, residents experience discolored water, odor issues, and low pressure, while the current lack of reliable hydrant service forces fire crews to depend on tanker trucks from 20 minutes away. This delay can hinder emergency response efforts and increase the risk of harm during fire events.

Upon completion of the project, Herndon residents will enjoy clean, safe drinking water leading to better health, sanitation, and overall quality of life. Firefighters will have the necessary water pressure to effectively combat fires, significantly boosting public safety. Additionally, the new water lines will be more resilient to wear and tear caused by heavy-truck traffic along Route 147, ensuring the community continues to have reliable access to water.

Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project Receives Funding

Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project Receives Funding

Posted on by

With help from the offices of Senator John Gordner and Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Upper Augusta Township received a $468,890 Flood Mitigation grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to address flash flooding. The Degenstein Foundation ($25,000), Upper Augusta Township ($20,000), SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority ($22,750), and the North Shore Railroad ($22,750), together contributed $90,500 in matching funding.

The Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project addresses flash flooding that significantly impacts the 24 residents and three businesses near the intersection of Routes 890 and 61 just south of Sunbury, as well as travelers on both routes which occurred regularly during times of rainfall inundation of 3.5” or more in 12 hours or less. During times of inundation, debris jams under the Route 61 and North Shore Rail line bridges, exacerbated flooding and threatened structural damage to the bridge. Ice jams occur less frequently but are more hazardous since conditions can change in seconds.

The work includes stream corridor restoration, access for debris removal, vegetation management, and sediment and erosion control in the project area from the intersection of Routes 890 and 61 to the ponds approximately 1.25 miles upstream. The desired result of these activities will be flood control, elimination of debris and log jams at the bridge sites, and improved water quality. 

Upper Augusta Township and the approximately 9,000 residents whose water needs are served by the Sunbury Municipal authority will be the primary municipal beneficiaries of the project. A core group of stakeholders including SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, North Shore Railroad, Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County Conservation District, PennDOT, DEP, and the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA)], met three times to discuss problems and solutions.

“Helping to make this grant possible was done out of necessity and in support of township residents whose thoughts no doubt turn to possible flooding and the inconveniences it causes as soon as the first drops of precipitation fall,” Rep. Culver said. “The fact that more than 9,000 people will see their quality of life improve when this project is complete speaks to the magnitude of this issue and the desperate need to fix the problem.”

Flooding and ice jams threaten the water treatment plant owned and managed by the Sunbury Municipal Authority. 

Grant scope includes surveying the complete project area using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), preliminary engineering design of all phases, and final design and construction and debris removal. Construction and debris removal activities include the hand removal of small woody debris, using heavy equipment positioned on the creek bank to remove large debris, removing all debris from the floodplain, building multi-log vane deflectors, stabilizing the stream bank with rip rap, and tree removal.  Also included are creating access paths to the creek across private property and then restoring the paths to their original condition. Building log vane deflectors and placing rip rap are proven to be non-invasive, and cost-effective. 

“I am pleased that another flood mitigation project will be undertaken in our region. While we can’t control the weather, it is important to take measures to reduce the impact of high waters on our residents and communities,” said Sen. Gordner.

In a few years, Upper Augusta Township will call stakeholders together to assess the work that has been completed, determine if Phase 2 work is needed, and identify sources if additional funding is needed.  Phase 2 work includes activities in the vicinity of the North Shore Railroad.  The Township has been in contact with Penn Dot who has agreed to perform any work it determines necessary along its bridge.

Linda Sterling, a SEDA-COG Program Analyst within the Community Development program who assisted in making this project a reality, said, “This has been a tremendously rewarding project. So many people worked together to make this project happen. Grant funding for the project would not have been possible without Sen. Gordner, Rep. Culver, state agencies DEP, and PennDot. All stakeholders came to the table engaged, helpful, and cooperative. The finished project not only meets all requirements but is also aesthetically pleasing and a real asset to both the safety and the beauty of Shamokin Creek in the project area.”

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.