SEDA-COG recently welcomed Kahla Lukens as a Program Assistant in the Community Development Program.
Kahla has over twelve years of experience in human resources, administrative assistance, and customer service. She previously worked as the Human Resources Information Systems Specialist at Susquehanna University. Kahla began her career as a Typist for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation. She is a 2004 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School.
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-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Teri Provost, a 15-year staffer, will be taking on the role of Chief in the newly formed Community Services Division.
The Community Services Division (CSD) will encompass SEDA-COG’s Community Development, Flood Resiliency, Housing Rehabilitation, and Community Revitalization programs. In the CSD, the intentionally coordinated efforts of these departments will further allow SEDA-COG to respond to community needs in a more comprehensive way. These efforts will ultimately provide improved service opportunities to our member counties and regional communities.
Provost worked in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program for 9 years before becoming the Director of Housing Rehabilitation and Flood Resiliency. Throughout her 15-year career at SEDA-COG, she has prepared numerous grant applications and has proficient experience with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Housing and Urban Development programs.
Provost has been a member of The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) since 2018 and serves as the Chapter District 2 Director. This position has a 2-year term.
She also serves as past chair of the Pennsylvania Association of State Floodplain Managers (PAFPM) board. Her board appointment is from January to December 2022. Before this appointment, Teri held the Vice Chair position with PAFPM from January to December 2021.
Provost has also developed and managed public works projects throughout the central Pennsylvania counties served by SEDA-COG. Additionally, she is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and has administered several state- and federally-funded buyouts and residential elevation projects in flood-prone communities.
“My top priority is to ensure that our Agency can serve the Region for years to come in a truly impactful manner, not only by leveraging grant funding opportunities, but also by building long lasting meaningful relationships. In the CSD, the orchestration of multiple aspects of municipal assistance will provide a comprehensive community approach to community resiliency, augmented by diversity in leadership and innovation,” Provost said.
SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Provost’s background has prepared her perfectly to take on this role.
“Teri has been with SEDA-COG for 15 years and has had the opportunity to work in several departments and grow her expertise in each area. She embodies a collaborative spirit and I truly believe that her skills and abilities are going to take SEDA-COG to new heights in this role,” Wheeler said.
Provost earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Clarion University in 2002.
Provost is grateful for the opportunity to deepen the partnerships between SEDA-COG and our surrounding municipalities.
“This role will allow our Region to maximize collaboration, funding opportunities and expertise. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with so many talented staff in our communities, with our partners, with grant funding agencies, and certainly within our office location,” Provost said.
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’s Community Development Program recently helped communities in Clinton, Northumberland, Centre, and Juniata Counties receive Community Block Grant Development (CDBG) competitive and Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding. The awarded funds will go towards updating existing water and/or sewer systems to help improve the quality of life for residents.
“This funding will help residents receive access to drinkable water, improved services, and help protect public health and safety. Most of us take systems like these for granted, and the better quality of life these residents will have as a result of these improvement projects can’t be overstated,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf in a press release.
The boroughs of South Renovo and Renovo in Clinton County are receiving $1,019,386 to complete a freshwater infrastructure system, benefiting 302 customers. The water infrastructure in both boroughs was installed in the early 1900s, and the entire 1,670-foot waterline under Pine Street from the eastern side of 4th Street will be replaced. Upon completion, South Renovo borough will consolidate the water system with Renovo Borough, which will allow residents of South Renovo Borough to have lower user rates.
$1,518,812 will be going to updates on the water system in Herndon Borough/Jackson Township, Northumberland County. The current water treatment system consists of four wells, a collection basin, reservoir, water treatment facilities, 9,400 lineal feet of cast-iron water main along Route 147, and approximately 1,400 lineal feet of water distribution piping. The cast iron main line that runs from the reservoir and the main water line were part of the original water treatment system constructed in the late 1930s. The main water line will also likely not withstand right-of-way road construction that is slated for 2024. Upgrades will help the system’s 213 users, who have experienced disruptions due to breaks in the aged water lines.
Water system improvements to the Haines Aaronsburg Municipal Authority (HAMA) in Centre County are receiving $1,148,650. The funds will be used to install the raw water transmission main from Well No. 8 to the water treatment plant and to replace the old above-ground cast iron finished water transmission main from the plant to the distribution system. This phase will also replace and relocate the existing Henry Street pressure relief valve.
The Village of McAlisterville in Juniata County will receive $1,000,000 to drill and construct new wells and a water storage tank. Currently, the village is using a water system that gets a significant portion of its potable water from two springs fed by a nearby water source and the distribution lines from those springs were hand-laid in the early 1900s. The new storage tank will hold an estimated 150,000 gallons of water, giving McAlisterville and the system’s 501 users an adequate, emergency water supply. The completed additions to the water system will be located on the ridge above Dunn Valley Road.
“We are immensely proud of the hard work done by the counties and by the Community Development staff here at SEDA-COG. To receive one CDBG competitive grant in a year is an accomplishment, but to receive 4 is a major win for the residents of Renovo, South Renovo, Herndon Borough, Jackson Township, Aaronsburg, and McAlisterville. Special thanks go to Kristin McLaughlin, Linda Sterling, Mitzi Gallagher-Long, and Heather Weisen for the phenomenal partnerships they’ve built with our counties and communities. I would also like to thank all of the legislators and county commissioners for their help, they were integral to each project’s success,” said Tyler Dombroski, Director of the SEDA-COG Community Development Program.
According to Gov. Wolf’s press release, “CDBG funds enable communities to effectively address local community development needs by providing federal funds to develop viable communities through the provision of modest housing and a suitable living environment. Funds are also used to expand economic opportunities geared to low-and moderate-income individuals and to improve infrastructure critical to community health and welfare.”
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 recently welcomed Cheryl Kahl as a Fiscal Assistant in the Community Development Program.
Kahl has over twenty years of experience in accounting and professional services. She has previously worked as the Union County Treasurer, Chief, & Senior Deputy in the Treasurer & Tax Claim Bureau in the office of the Union County Commissioners. Kahl also has significant experience working in a multitude of roles for local banks. She graduated from Middleburg Area High School and received training from the American Bankers Association – American Institute of Banking.
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.
