New Hire in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program

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.

New Hire in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program

SEDA-COG recently welcomed Sarah Biddle as a Program Assistant in their Community Development Program.

Biddle has over five years of experience planning and coordinating community events and programs and team management. She was previously the Rail Trail Coordinator and Program Director for the Buffalo Valley Recreation Authority. She was also the Assistant Manager at Iron Front Events in Lewisburg, PA. She currently serves as the field hockey coach at Danville Area School District. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration and Sport Management from Lock Haven University in 2015.

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 Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7429 or estauder@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG announces new director of Community Development

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Tyler Dombroski, a 7.5-year staffer, is the new director of its Community Development program.

As senior program analyst in that program, he wrote and administered many Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grants and projects, and most notably, has managed the $17 million Town of Bloomsburg Flood Mitigation Expansion project. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he has led efforts to create the CDBG‐CV Economic Development program template utilized regionwide.

Dombroski’s major goals as director this year include adapting to the region’s grant administration needs from major federal funding investments including CARES, American Rescue Plan, and the proposed American Jobs Plan; positively contributing to the region’s economic recovery; and continuing to provide strong grant administration services to SEDA-COG’s client communities.

He also aims to continue the development of his team.

“Our department is a strong team that has faced significant adversity over the last year. I hope to continue our positive growth,” Dombroski said.

He appreciates the people, the beauty, and the culture of the region.

“Our region is comprised of salt-of-the-earth people, which is important to me. My family and friends live here and being close to them is also important to me. I think our region has a lot of natural beauty and history. I am also a big Penn State football fan, so I have to stay close to my alma mater,” Dombroski said.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Dombroski has the leadership qualities, experience, and skills to lead the team.

“He shows a great deal of commitment and visionary outlook which will help to continue the department and agency adapt to the ever-changing work environment with the pandemic. We are very excited as Tyler has started his transition into the director role today, May 3. We look forward to the continued excellent work Tyler and his team provide to the region,” Wheeler said.

Dombroski has been mayor of Washingtonville since 2014 and was a councilman for two years prior. He has served on the Montour Area Recreation Commission since 2013, currently as chairman. He has been chairman of the Montour County Agricultural Land Preservation Board since 2016. He is vice chairman of the Washingtonville Municipal Authority and has been on the board since 2014. He serves on the boards of the Central Susquehanna Opportunities (since 2018) and the Jane E. DeLong Memorial Hall Association (since 2013).

He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies in 2011, and his Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development in 2014, both from Penn State.

Teri Provost had been the interim director of the program for over a year, in addition to being director of the Flood Resiliency and Housing Rehabilitation programs.

Wheeler said Provost did an excellent job providing oversight to three departments.

“We thank Teri for her oversight and commitment to not only the Community Development department but the agency over the last year-plus. Her continued hard work and dedication have helped to keep the department running smoothly. We appreciate her excellence,” Wheeler said.

SEDA-COG’s Community Development program administers 14 CDBG contracts for 28 communities. Over 35 years, the program has secured $120 billion for over 1,000 projects with its 11 dedicated staff.

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.

Homelessness prevention grant open to Penn Township residents

Residents at risk of losing their housing in Penn Township may be eligible to receive assistance to prevent homelessness.

The Resident Subsistence Program is being offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support hard-hit residents and is funded with a $19,742 Penn Township entitlement Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV).

The grants can be used to pay rent or mortgage payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure and utility payments to prevent cutoff.

Applications are now being accepted. While there is no deadline to apply, the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and ends when the funds are spent.

Each eligible family may receive funding for up to three consecutive months of assistance, paid directly to the mortgage holder, landlord, or utility company on their behalf. Funds will not be given directly to families. Assistance is available for up to 100 days per family.

Applicants must be at risk of losing their housing and must provide documentation of it. Assistance can be made to families whose income is at or below the HOME/PART 5 income limits for Snyder County at the time of application. Applicants must complete an income verification interview to qualify for this program.

The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency will provide the grants to Penn Township residents, as allocated by Snyder County. The agency is managing the program on behalf of the county. SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is administering the CDBG funds and ensuring compliance.

For more information or to set up an appointment to apply, Penn Township residents may contact the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency by visiting union-snydercaa.org/housing-assistance to download and print an application or call 570-374-0181 option 3.

For Snyder County residents outside of Penn Township, the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency may be able to help them through their Emergency Rental Assistance program which assists with rent, utilities, or home energy expenses, as well as housing programs. 

SEDA-COG’s Community Development program administers 14 CDBG contracts for 28 communities. Over 35 years, the program has secured $120 billion for over 1,000 projects with its 12 dedicated staff.

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.