Community Development – Page 9 – SEDA Council of Governments

Application window open for Snyder County entities to apply for COVID relief funds

Posted on September 22, 2020 by DNS Admin

The application window is open for Snyder County small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to apply to receive part of a grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The application deadline is Oct. 2 for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds.

The county has allocated $1.3 million CRBG funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to this program.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020 for the prevention, preparedness, and response to the COVID-19 crisis. For a full list of eligibility requirements and grant application forms, visit www.snydercounty.org.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

County Commissioner Joe Kantz said these funds are essential to assisting those in the county recover.

“We are urging businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to apply – these are grant funds, so you don’t need to repay them. SEDA-COG will assist with any questions you may have and will guide you through the process,” Kantz said.

Fully completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 2 via email to SEDA-COG’s Jamie Shrawder at jshrawder@seda-cog.org or faxed to 570-837-4282. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Sept. 30 and sent to Snyder County Commissioners, ATTN: Tony Phillips, Chief Clerk, P.O. Box 217, 9 W. Market St., Middleburg, PA 17842.

For more information, contact Shrawder at the email above or at 570-522-7263.

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.

Application window open for Lycoming County entities to apply for COVID relief funds

Posted on September 16, 2020 by DNS Admin

The application window is open for Lycoming County learning centers, nonprofits, municipalities, and fire/emergency medical services (EMS) to apply to receive part of a grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The application deadline for learning centers is Sept. 22 for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds. The deadline for the other entities is Oct. 2.

The county received a $10.2 million CRBG grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

The county commissioners voted Tuesday to tentatively award the following allocations from the grant (which may change based on demonstrated need):

Alternate learning center sites: $1.5 million (at $300 per student)
Nonprofits: $1 million
Municipalities: $250,000
Fire/EMS: $150,000

The funds do not have to be repaid. Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020 including operating costs, rent, mortgage interest, utility payments, eligible capital expenses, and more. Invoiced documentation is required.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

County Commissioner Scott Metzger said the county is dedicated to alleviating the economic impact the pandemic has caused.

“Recognizing the tremendous economic loss felt throughout our county, we’ve allocated these funds to a broad spectrum of entities to try to alleviate some of that loss,” Metzger said.

Fully completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 22 for alternate learning center sites and by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 2 for the other entities via email or fax. Mailed forms must be postmarked by those respective dates.

Zoom meetings will be held to learn more about the programs and to ask questions:

1 p.m. Sept. 17 – learning centers
1 p.m. Sept. 21 – nonprofits
2:30 p.m. Sept. 21 – municipalities
3:30 p.m. Sept. 21 – fire/EMS

Zoom login information, grant eligibility requirements, and applications are available at www.lyco.org/covidrelief. Applications may be emailed to Covidrelief@lyco.org, faxed to 570-320-2135, or mailed to Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development, 48 W. Third St., Williamsport, PA 17701.

For more information, contact the Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development at Covidrelief@lyco.org or 570-320-2130.

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 welcomes employees

Posted on September 3, 2020 by DNS Admin

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) welcomed employees in August.

Jamie Shrawder returned to SEDA-COG’s Community Development program as project coordinator on Aug. 17. She previously worked for SEDA-COG’s Joint Rail Authority in 2004 and transferred to SEDA-COG’s Community Development program in 2008 where she worked until 2016 as senior program analyst.

Shrawder has 15 years of experience, working in administration, financial management, contracting, marketing, and communications. Her experience includes administrator of governmental affairs for Danville Borough, township manager for East Buffalo Township, and secretary for Turbotville Borough, among other positions. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Michael Morrison joined SEDA-COG’s Business Finance department on Aug. 31 as a loan officer. He brings a strong sales and management background with a passion for establishing and developing business and personal relationships.

Morrison was a business development officer at First National Bank of Pennsylvania; the dual branch manager at Santander Bank; and account manager/director of media buying at Gregory Welteroth Advertising. He attended Pennsylvania College of Technology for Business Administration and Accounting.

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.

Application deadline 9/18 for Juniata County businesses, nonprofits to apply for COVID relief funds

Posted on August 28, 2020 by DNS Admin

The application deadline is Sept. 18 for Juniata County businesses and nonprofits to apply to receive part of a $2.2 million grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) is from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

On behalf of the board, county Commissioner Alice Gray urged businesses and nonprofits to apply.

“We know those in our county are hurting. We opened this application window Aug. 17 and the deadline is quickly approaching. We want as many to apply as possible. This is crucial because these are not loans – they don’t have to be repaid,” Gray said.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

Grants of $5,000 to $50,000 are available for small businesses and nonprofits that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants are available only for businesses and nonprofits with annual sales/revenues prior to March 1, 2020 of $1 million or less and have 25 or fewer full-time employees. Businesses and nonprofits must be based in and operate primarily in Juniata County, among other eligibility requirements.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 through Dec. 30, 2020 including payroll and healthcare costs, rent, utility payments, eligible working capital expenses, COVID-19 mitigation plans, sales revenue, and more.

To apply for the county’s grant programs, complete the appropriate forms at www.juniataco.org/covid-19-response/. Send the completed forms to Mike Hower at mhower@juniataco.org or PO Box 68, Mifflintown PA 17059.
For more information, contact Hower at the above email address or SEDA-COG’s Heather Kelly-Weisen at hkellyweisen@seda-cog.org.

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.