Category: Community Revitalization

News Release
June 2, 2023

Lewisburg, PA – Betsy Kramer, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Revitalization Coordinator, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. The CEcD Certification Program is the most prestigious designation in the economic development profession. Kramer was 1 of 32 economic development professionals nationwide who earned the designation. Additionally, in 2022, Kramer earned the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) accreditation, also from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The IEDC administered the written CEcD Exam on May 8, 2023, and notified candidates of their results on May 17, 2023. Working in economic development for over 6 years, Kramer is currently assisting the city of Shamokin with economic revitalization and community resiliency. She has extensive experience in facilitating communication and collaboration with volunteer organizations, non-profits, elected officials, business community and investors to achieve a unified revitalization mission.

The CEcD designation recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic development field and sets the standard of excellence within the profession. Candidates must pass a rigorous and comprehensive examination, which has three parts and spans two days. The exam tests a practitioner’s knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the following key areas of economic development:

• • business retention and expansion
• • finance & credit analysis
• • marketing and attraction
• • strategic planning
• • entrepreneurial & small business development
• • managing economic development organizations
• • neighborhood development strategies
• • real estate development & reuse
• • technology-led economic development
• • workforce development strategies
• • foreign direct investment & exporting

As highly competent economic development professionals, Certified Economic Developers work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create leadership to build upon and maximize the economic development sector. Excellence in the economic development profession improves wellbeing, quality of life and opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities. There are currently over 1,200 active CEcDs in the United States.

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities and improve the quality of life in their regions. www.iedcONLINE.org.

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 Kristen Moyer, chief of staff, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7212 or kmoyer@seda-cog.org

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities
www.seda-cog.org

WASHINGTON – November 30, 2022 – WASHINGTON – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is pleased to announce the 2022 Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) credential recipients.

The EDP designation requires candidates to have two years of full-time experience in economic development, complete the necessary education requirements and pass the certification examination. It is designed for professionals who work with entrepreneurs and small businesses as well as those that support them via programs, networks and approaches that foster small business and entrepreneurial growth. The 2022 program courses and examination were presented in an entirely virtual format. 

“IEDC’s EDP credential has prepared this next class of professionals to serve and advance their communities. They have demonstrated great dedication and hard work though the completion of the program. This sets the foundation for great success in the future,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.

“Entrepreneurship and economic development go hand-in-hand,” added Penny Lewandowski, Principal at Change at the Edges, and a creator and proponent of the EDP credential. “This program teaches individuals new ways to think about economic development, encouraging a grow-from-within strategy that will lead to thriving and sustainable economies.”

The EDP credential and new courses were developed with the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation the U.S. Economic Development Administration and partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City SourceLink.

“Entrepreneur-focused economic development is one of the most powerful ways to spur growth. We are happy to continue supporting this initiative and look forward to seeing this next group of credentialed professionals use their skills to spring their communities forward,” said Philip Gaskin, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Congratulations to the 2022 EDP credential recipients:

• Dianna Cameron, EDP – Management Analyst, City of Sierra Vista (Sierra Vista, AZ)

• Kevin Crowder, CEcD, EDP – Principal/Owner, BusinessFlare Economic Development Solutions (North Miami, FL)

• Monica Delores Hooks, MBA, EDP – Executive Director, Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (Atlanta, GA)

• Timothy Fox, CEcD, EDP – Executive Director, Charles City Area Development Corp. (Charles City, IA)

• Diana Goss, EDP – Executive Director, DeKalb Entrepreneurial Center (Rainsville, AL)

• Eric Heimbecker, EDP – Senior Program Manager, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)

• Adam Henry, CEcD, EDP – Senior Business Development Manager, Arlington Economic Development (Arlington, VA)

• Heidi Knoblauch, EDP – Sr. Director of Entrepreneurship Development, Empire State Development (Albany, NY)

• Betsy Kramer, EDP – Revitalization Coordinator, SEDA – Council of Governments (Lewisburg, PA)

• Katherine Long, EDP – Small Business/Information Manager, Ponca City Development Authority (Ponca City, OK)

• Melissa Meschke, EDP – Economic Development Outreach Manager, Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship (Madison, WI)

• Daniel Mitchell, EDP – SMARTstart Program Director, Pasco Economic Development Council (Lutz, FL)

• April Needham, EDP – Director, Washington State University-Innovate Inland, (Spokane, WA)

• Terri Peters, EDP – Small Business Developer, Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority (Claremore, OK)

• Bill Sabo, EDP – Regional Director Arkansas Small Business and Technology Center, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (Fort Smith, AR)

• Kristin Slice, EDP – Senior Program Manager, Arizona State University (Scottsdale, AZ)

• Will Warren, CEcD, EDP – Consultant, Vita Nuova (Chagrin Falls, OH)

• Xiaoyu Zhao, EDP – Director of Small Business Initiatives and Support, City of Hartford (Hartford, CT)

The EDP credential is the second certification offered by IEDC, after the Certified Economic

Developer (CEcD) certification. The CecD credential is a comprehensive designation that tests applicants’ general proficiency regarding economic development. IEDC has certified more than 1,100 CEcD and over 30 EDP practitioners.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is the world’s largest membership organization

for economic development professionals. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life in their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development. Learn more at iedconline.org.

Congressman Dan Meuser has announced that Shamokin is receiving $2.675 million in federal funding for Revitalizing Independence Street. The funds, which are derived from H.R.2471 – Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, will allow Shamokin to execute their GoShamokin plan to improve the appearance and safety of Downtown Shamokin.

In total, Pennsylvania will receive $14.2 million in funds, which will be distributed to communities throughout the commonwealth.

The revitalizing Independence Street project is focused on complete street improvements that will greatly enhance the pedestrian-oriented and aesthetic appeal of the city of Shamokin’s “Main Street.”

The proposed improvements will be:
• Hardscape Improvement plans that focus on replacing the existing unit accent pavers, repairing any damaged concrete sidewalks, and upgrading ADA ramps and crosswalks.
• New crosswalk marking plans or crosswalk treatments (i.e. texture paving) will be prepared.
• A street tree planting plan will be developed.
• A streetscape amenities plan that includes replacing light fixtures, benches, trash/recycling receptacles, and vertical planters to provide additional greenery in place and in addition to street trees, depending on the location.

Independence Street is the city’s main commercial corridor and is located 2 blocks from the Sunbury Street/Route 61. The downtown benefits from not being a heavily trafficked through-put arterial roadway, making it more pedestrian-oriented and suitable for main street-type development.

The biggest barrier to pedestrian mobility in the downtown is the intersection crossings. Performing a makeover of Independence Street (which is located in a Federal Opportunity Zone and eligible Historic District) is an imperative initiative in the community to upgrade the downtown with a focus on ADA/safety and aesthetic improvements such as architectural lighting, planters, banners, etc. which will all have a major impact in supporting the influx of tourists, attracting new business to the downtown and creating better livability for the nearly 7,000 citizens of Shamokin.

This project is an implementation initiative based upon the GoShamokin Revitalization Plan, funded by a Keystone Community Grant, created by Stromberg Garrigan and Associates and adopted by Shamokin City Council October 2020.

The GoShamokin Revitalization Project responds to a special Shamokin community driven desire to proactively invent itself with fresh initiatives that will enable community members to revitalize itself with fresh initiatives by harnessing new opportunities, such as the recent influx in tourism through the introduction of over 8,500 acres of former coal lands in the Shamokin Area which now comprise the Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Recreation Area (AOAA). The AOAA is a family-friendly motorized and non-motorized recreation facility that attracts 30,000 visitors annually.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Kramer, Revitalization Coordinator, said, “This is a much needed and appreciated influx of funds by Congressman Meuser to assist the City of Shamokin’s efforts to revitalize and create a safe, pedestrian-friendly downtown for its businesses, citizens, and visitors.”

“I first want to thank Congressman Meuser, Betsy Kramer, and former Mayor John Brown on behalf of everyone in Shamokin. I am truly grateful Congressman Meuser cares about Shamokin the way he does. These funds will go a long way in making our downtown more accessible for everyone with the ADA improvements, as well as beautifying the City,” said Shamokin Mayor Richard Ulrich.

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 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org

During the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards, held virtually on December 15, 2021, the Plan GoShamokin project received the 2020 & 2021 Plans and Policy Initiative Award.

As stated on the 10,000 Friends website, the Commonwealth Awards honor projects, plans and initiatives that demonstrate smart growth, community resilience, and equity principles in action. The awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations with the vision to find new uses for vacant and underutilized land, increase opportunities and access for all in communities on the rise, and breathe new life into older neighborhoods.

According to The Shamokin Area Implementation Plan, “GoShamokin responds to a community driven desire to proactively reinvent itself. The plan focuses on a combination on of public/civic realm investments in infrastructure and public spaces combined with programs and resources that can be tapped to partner with the private sector to stimulate building rehabilitation and business expansion. This layered approach to economic development emphasizing ‘placemaking’ fosters the greatest potential for creating jobs, reducing crime, enhancing community pride, and elevating the overall quality-of-life for all of Shamokin’s residents.”

Sean Garrigan, the Principal with Stromberg Garrigan and Associates (SGA) – the lead firm contracted with the City to prepare the plan, submitted the plan for consideration of an award. “SGA was honored that 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania awarded our Plan GoShamokin project a Commonwealth Award. SGA was supported by Urban Partners and the KSA Group on the effort; Plan GoShamokin was completed in October 2020 for SEDA-COG on behalf of the City of Shamokin and provided a 5-year implementation plan for economic revitalization in downtown Shamokin. SGA is currently working to create a pocket park in Shamokin called Illumination Station, a direct result of the recommendations in the plan. Thank you to 10,000 Friends for the honor,” said Garrigan.

“The GoShamokin plan has provided direction for the momentum of many different organizations at work in the city. The recognition is a huge honor and it’s exciting to see so many aspects from the GoShamokin Plan happening – including the Illumination Station Pocket Park, Hydrology & Hydraulic (H&H) Study, U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant, Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Book Rewrite, and more,” said Betsy Kramer, Revitalization Coordinator at 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.

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