Category: SEDA-COG

Mifflin County Academy Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

Mifflin County Academy Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

Posted on by

The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology was recently awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in the amount of $500,000 to support the school’s expansion project.

With the assistance of Delta Development Group, Inc. in Camp Hill, The Academy has secured over $7 million in state and federal funding to construct a heavy equipment/diesel technician training facility. The project will be located at The Academy’s existing campus at 700 Pitt Street, Lewistown, PA. The ARC funds will be used to purchase the heavy equipment utilized in the new programs.

“The goal of this expansion project is to provide local, affordable training opportunities and address the demand for a skilled workforce in rural PA,” explained Mike McMonigal, Supervisor of Adult Education at The Academy. “We are very grateful for the support of the Appalachian Regional Commission for investing in our local workforce development.”

The need for postsecondary education has been growing in recent years, as businesses report a lack of skilled workers to fill their open positions, and as the income gap between college and high school graduates widens. The need for a skilled workforce is also fueled by the manufacturing, construction, and transportation industries relying more heavily on technology. Employers in these industries and organizations are demanding that new hires and incumbent workers possess applicable skills and achieve industry certifications and licensures.

The Academy expansion project is expected to allow regional employers to create and fill currently vacant jobs rather than exporting related service work to other regions. This program will also help retain local talented youth who currently need to relocate to other areas to become properly trained to pursue these jobs. The Academy intends to train 20 students per program for a total of 40 students per year.

The Academy’s partnering employers estimate that they will be able to create 24 new jobs collectively in the first year that trainees are available. In total, these employers anticipate that during the nine-year analysis period, approximately 125 new jobs will be created, and 15 jobs will be retained.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Lockwood, Director of Project Development and Grants, submitted the ARC application for the equipment on behalf of the Academy. The application itself was prepared by the Delta Development Group.

Regarding the benefits of the grant, Lockwood said, “The ARC investment into this project will enable industry sectors in the areas of transportation, warehousing, and construction to expand within Mifflin County and the SEDA-COG Region.”

The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania.  PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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.

Mount Carmel Receives Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Mount Carmel Receives Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on by

Housing rehabilitation grants were recently awarded to Mount Carmel Township and Borough.

Both the Township and Borough are receiving $300,000 for no-cost home repairs for eligible residents. Qualified residents may receive up to $50,000 for housing rehabilitation expenses. Mount Carmel Township residents may qualify for an additional $15,000 to address lead-based paint hazard reduction.

The funds are from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME.) HOME is a federally funded program that provides municipalities with grant and loan assistance to expand and preserve the supply of decent and affordable housing for low- and very low-income Pennsylvanians.

“Pennsylvanians deserve safe, up-to-code, and accessible spaces to call home,” said Gov. Tom Wolf in the press release announcing the funding. “The HOME funding will help provide access to these spaces to individuals across the commonwealth…”

Teri Provost, Chief of SEDA-COG’s Community Services Division, spoke of the value of the program.

“We are passionate about empowering our communities to have the best, most affordable housing possible by rehabilitating existing homes at no cost to eligible homeowners,” Provost said. “When we partner with communities on these efforts, it helps the homeowner, it maintains the communities’ tax base, and it increases property values.”

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing in order for this service to be received at no cost.

Qualifications:

• Must live in the Township or Borough limits of Mount Carmel;

• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;

• Meet income qualifications based on household size;

• Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;

• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;

• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply. 

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $40,850; 2 – $46,650; 3 – $52,500; 4 – $58,300; 5 – $63,000; 6 – $67,650; 7 – $72,300; 8 – $77,000.

SEDA-COG oversees the entire process for the homeowner.

“We make the project easy on the homeowner by managing it from start to finish, including obtaining the contractor,” Provost said.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s call Stacy Anderson at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

SUN-Tech Program Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

SUN-Tech Program Awarded Appalachian Regional Commission Funds

Posted on by

SUN Area Technical Institute (SUN-Tech) was recently awarded an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant in the amount of $85,088 for Mechatronics training equipment.

SUN-Tech, which serves Snyder, Union, and Northumberland County in Central PA recently added a Mechatronics Program to its list of course offerings.

There is a need for skilled and trained personnel in the Mechatronics field in the region. By adding a Mechatronics Program to SUN-Tech, and enhancing the program with industry standard equipment, students access to equipment and technology used in the field for Mechatronics training will translate into learned job skills to fill high priority positions in the region. These positions can earn $40,000 entry level, and $60,000 for experienced level, and are expected to see an increase in employment of around 8% by 2028.

The curriculum for this course will cover: Electrical Systems, National Electrical Code, Robotics, Circuits, Programmable Logic Controls, Electric Motor Controls, Pneumatics, Mechanical Power Transmissions, Fluid Power Systems, Troubleshooting and Repair. The program will be aligned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Program of Study for CIP Code 15.0403 and state approved industry credentials and NOCTI Exam (#8094).

Jobs in the mechatronics field include a variety of occupations which include engineers, mechanical engineers, hydraulic specialist, pneumatic specialists, PLC troubleshooting, maintenance managers, maintenance technicians, industrial maintenance automation technical/manager, and plant managers.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Lockwood, Director of Project Development and Grants, submitted the ARC application for the equipment on behalf of SUN-Tech. Regarding the benefits of the grant, Lockwood said, “Considering the rapidly growing field of Mechatronics, it was imperative that our area have access to the latest and most advanced equipment, curriculum, and training aids to expand and strengthen skill development and ensure long-term employment success in central PA. I am thrilled for the innovation opportunity this provides SUN-Tech and for the adult learners and recent high school graduates who will be able to take part in this program.”

“SUN-Tech appreciates the generosity of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Their willingness to assist in funding this initiative will help our graduates secure meaningful employment opportunities that are significantly above entry level. With the help of the ARC and SEDA-COG, our students will possess real-world problem-solving skills, desirable technical competencies and be cross trained in several disciplines. Putting some of the most advanced training equipment that is on the market in their hands will be a big part of that training,” said David Bacher, SUN-Tech Administrative Director.

The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania.  PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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.

Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project Receives Funding

Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project Receives Funding

Posted on by

With help from the offices of Senator John Gordner and Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Upper Augusta Township received a $468,890 Flood Mitigation grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to address flash flooding. The Degenstein Foundation ($25,000), Upper Augusta Township ($20,000), SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority ($22,750), and the North Shore Railroad ($22,750), together contributed $90,500 in matching funding.

The Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project addresses flash flooding that significantly impacts the 24 residents and three businesses near the intersection of Routes 890 and 61 just south of Sunbury, as well as travelers on both routes which occurred regularly during times of rainfall inundation of 3.5” or more in 12 hours or less. During times of inundation, debris jams under the Route 61 and North Shore Rail line bridges, exacerbated flooding and threatened structural damage to the bridge. Ice jams occur less frequently but are more hazardous since conditions can change in seconds.

The work includes stream corridor restoration, access for debris removal, vegetation management, and sediment and erosion control in the project area from the intersection of Routes 890 and 61 to the ponds approximately 1.25 miles upstream. The desired result of these activities will be flood control, elimination of debris and log jams at the bridge sites, and improved water quality. 

Upper Augusta Township and the approximately 9,000 residents whose water needs are served by the Sunbury Municipal authority will be the primary municipal beneficiaries of the project. A core group of stakeholders including SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, North Shore Railroad, Upper Augusta Township, Northumberland County Conservation District, PennDOT, DEP, and the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA)], met three times to discuss problems and solutions.

“Helping to make this grant possible was done out of necessity and in support of township residents whose thoughts no doubt turn to possible flooding and the inconveniences it causes as soon as the first drops of precipitation fall,” Rep. Culver said. “The fact that more than 9,000 people will see their quality of life improve when this project is complete speaks to the magnitude of this issue and the desperate need to fix the problem.”

Flooding and ice jams threaten the water treatment plant owned and managed by the Sunbury Municipal Authority. 

Grant scope includes surveying the complete project area using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), preliminary engineering design of all phases, and final design and construction and debris removal. Construction and debris removal activities include the hand removal of small woody debris, using heavy equipment positioned on the creek bank to remove large debris, removing all debris from the floodplain, building multi-log vane deflectors, stabilizing the stream bank with rip rap, and tree removal.  Also included are creating access paths to the creek across private property and then restoring the paths to their original condition. Building log vane deflectors and placing rip rap are proven to be non-invasive, and cost-effective. 

“I am pleased that another flood mitigation project will be undertaken in our region. While we can’t control the weather, it is important to take measures to reduce the impact of high waters on our residents and communities,” said Sen. Gordner.

In a few years, Upper Augusta Township will call stakeholders together to assess the work that has been completed, determine if Phase 2 work is needed, and identify sources if additional funding is needed.  Phase 2 work includes activities in the vicinity of the North Shore Railroad.  The Township has been in contact with Penn Dot who has agreed to perform any work it determines necessary along its bridge.

Linda Sterling, a SEDA-COG Program Analyst within the Community Development program who assisted in making this project a reality, said, “This has been a tremendously rewarding project. So many people worked together to make this project happen. Grant funding for the project would not have been possible without Sen. Gordner, Rep. Culver, state agencies DEP, and PennDot. All stakeholders came to the table engaged, helpful, and cooperative. The finished project not only meets all requirements but is also aesthetically pleasing and a real asset to both the safety and the beauty of Shamokin Creek in the project area.”

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.