Category: Community Revitalization

Photo courtesy of Larson Design Group. Preliminary rendering showing the Volunteer Park plan and walking bridge.

Lewisburg, PA — With the assistance from SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), the City of Shamokin has been awarded a $248,400 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) to support the construction of a pedestrian connector bridge at Volunteer Park.

The project will connect Claude Kehler Park to downtown, improving access to recreational spaces and supporting safe, walkable infrastructure in the City. It aligns with the broader vision of the Volunteer Park Master Plan and the Connector Bridge Feasibility Study, completed in 2025 with partial funding from DCNR C2P2.

These grant funds represent 50 percent of the estimated cost for the new bridge, and the project will continue to seek funding for the remaining portion.

This project is a cornerstone in our broader downtown revitalization and recreation access efforts,” said Betsy Kramer, program manager for Community Revitalization at SEDA-COG. “Securing this competitive DCNR grant underscores the City’s momentum in creating a more vibrant, connected community.”

The grant was announced as part of an $82 million investment by the Commonwealth on Jan. 12, 2026.

“The outdoors are for everyone—whether you enjoy spending time at a local park, out on the water, or on a trail—every Pennsylvanian deserves access to safe, welcoming outdoor spaces close to home,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.

The DCNR C2P2 program supports recreation, park, and conservation projects across Pennsylvania. Funding for this award is drawn from several sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, and federal sources such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program.

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.

Lewisburg, PA — The City of Williamsport, in partnership with the SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), is advancing critical flood mitigation and infrastructure resilience efforts through the release of professional services procurements associated with the Williamsport Levee project.

The City is seeking qualified firms through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and design services and a Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction engineering oversight and inspection services. These procurements represent an important step toward the continued rehabilitation and long-term reliability of the Williamsport Levee system, a key piece of infrastructure that protects residents, businesses, and public assets.

Both the RFQ and RFP are being advertised concurrently and follow the same schedule. Proposals are being accepted electronically, and submissions are due Feb. 18, 2026, at 4 p.m.

“This project reflects the City’s commitment to proactive flood risk reduction and responsible infrastructure investment,” said Valerie Fessler, Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development in Williamsport. “By engaging qualified engineering professionals early in the process, we are positioning the project for long-term success while maintaining transparency and compliance with federal and state requirements.”

The Williamsport Levee project is supported through FEMA Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant funding and is being administered in coordination with SEDA-COG to ensure adherence to all applicable procurement, environmental, and grant compliance standards.

Procurement documents are available at https://seda-cog.org/request-for-proposals/ and will be shared through SEDA-COG’s social media channels. Interested firms are encouraged to review the materials carefully and submit any questions in accordance with the published timelines.

For additional information about the project or procurement process, please contact: Betsy Kramer
Program Manager, Community Revitalization, SEDA-COG
bkramer@seda-cog.org

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.

Lewisburg, PA — The City of Shamokin, in partnership with SEDA–Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), has successfully resolved its appeal of FEMA’s preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps. This achievement ensures more accurate flood zone designations and delivers significant financial relief for residents and businesses, helping reduce uncertainty for homeowners and encouraging future reinvestment downtown.

FEMA’s preliminary maps, released in 2021, expanded areas shown as high-risk compared with the prior maps. The City of Shamokin immediately brought these concerns to the attention of SEDA-COG, recognizing the potential financial impact on residents and local redevelopment.

Working together, the City and SEDA-COG coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to secure Act 47 Implementation funding for an independent Hydrology & Hydraulics study of the Shamokin Creek basin, completed by a qualified engineering consultant.

The 2021 preliminary maps would have expanded high-risk flood zones across the City, requiring many property owners to purchase flood insurance for the first time and potentially complicating property sales, permitting, and redevelopment.

SEDA-COG prepared and submitted the City’s technical appeal to FEMA on Feb. 10, 2023. On Sept. 30, 2025, FEMA issued revised preliminary maps for Shamokin that closely align with the City’s study, indicating FEMA’s incorporation of the City’s technical data.

The City and SEDA-COG view this as a major success that will reduce the number of properties subject to mandatory flood-insurance requirements compared to the 2021 preliminary maps.

The revised maps now provide a more accurate representation of the community’s actual flood risk, ensuring that only properties truly vulnerable to flooding are identified within the high-risk zones.

Next, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination. The letter starts a six-month period for the City to adopt updated ordinances and for the new maps to take effect.

Residents may review the revised preliminary maps and should plan to speak with their insurance agent or lender once the maps are effective. Properties located in high-risk flood zones may be eligible for discounted or grandfathered insurance options under National Flood Insurance Program rules. These options are available through your insurance agent.

“This is a major win for Shamokin,” said Mayor Mike McLaughlin. “Accurate maps mean fair treatment for our residents and smarter planning for our future. We’re grateful for SEDA-COG’s technical support and the engineering firm’s study.”

“This result shows the real power of collaboration,” said Betsy Kramer, program manager, Community Revitalization at SEDA-COG. “By combining sound science, local knowledge, and strong partnerships, Shamokin achieved one of the best possible outcomes, a more accurate map that protects both residents and the city’s long-term revitalization efforts.”

“This effort was possible because Shamokin’s leadership recognized that addressing flood risk was essential to the City’s long-term recovery,” Kramer said. “SEDA-COG worked with the City to demonstrate that this project was integral to restoring economic stability and supporting its successful exit from financial distress. We’re always glad to share lessons learned and help other communities strengthen their own resiliency planning.”

Municipal leaders who are interested in learning more about the process or exploring potential resources to strengthen their own flood resiliency efforts are encouraged to contact Alimara (Ali) Cassidy, community resiliency project coordinator with SEDA-COG, at alimara.cassidy@seda-cog.org.

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.