SEDA-COG – Page 13 – SEDA Council of Governments

Lewisburg Borough Recognizes Flood Safety Awareness Week

Posted on March 17, 2022 by

In recognition of Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week starting on March 21st, Lewisburg Borough and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) are raising awareness of the dangers of flooding and the resources available to help borough residents prepare.

Lewisburg Borough Manager William Lowthert said it is crucial to know what to do before, during, and after a flood.

“Lewisburg Borough is located in 3 watersheds, making flooding our top natural disaster concern in the Borough. Our residents and property owners can improve their resiliency by preparing in advance. Understanding your individual situation and what will happen to your property is important in order to prepare for the next flood event and recover afterwards. We encourage residents to be proactive,” Lowthert said.

In high-risk areas, there is a one-in-four chance of experiencing a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage and residents should consider purchasing flood insurance.
Safety tips to prepare for flooding include making a plan, building a go kit of supplies, knowing the types of flood risk in the borough (both river and stream flooding), signing up for emergency alerts, practicing evacuation routes and shelter plans, buying flood insurance, keeping important documents in a waterproof container, and proactively protecting property. More information about flood safety and preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov/flood.

SEDA-COG will publicize more safety tips the week of March 21st on its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The borough contracts with SEDA-COG to provide professional and administrative services for the Community Rating System (CRS), which gives its residents a 10% flood insurance premium discount for all properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and a 5% discount for all other properties. If residents’ properties are not mapped as that area, they still may qualify for a lower-cost preferred risk policy.

For more information about flood hazards, flood protection, or for a site inspection, residents may contact Lewisburg Borough at 570-523-3614 or office@lewisburgborough.org or SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program at 570-524-4491 ext. 7218.

Pennsylvania’s Flood Safety Awareness Week is held the fourth full week in March each year.

SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency Program offers services related to flood resiliency and mitigation assistance both within and outside of its 11-county region. Its goal is to help break the damage cycle and stop its drain on people and communities. For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/

For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7249 or estauder@seda-cog.org

Planners Request Input on US 522 Corridor

Posted on March 16, 2022 by

Area transportation leaders are inviting the public to share their thoughts on transportation conditions along a 3-mile section of the US 522 corridor, stretching from Bridge Street in Selinsgrove to the Pawling Station Business Park in Penn Township.

“The US 522 Corridor Improvement Study will establish a framework that addresses transportation challenges faced by our local communities and regional travelers,” said Steve Herman, Transportation Planning Program Interim Director at SEDA-COG. “It aims to identify both short- and long-term strategies that will enhance safety and mobility for all who use the corridor.”

The study was initiated by SEDA-COG in response to concerns expressed by Snyder County, Penn Township, and Selinsgrove Borough, citing the route’s crash history and high traffic volumes. The study will evaluate traffic operations and safety for all modes as well as land use and economic development impacts. The resulting action plan will include recommendations that may include further planning efforts at the regional and local level, coordination with stakeholders, and operational or physical improvements in areas of concern.

“The need for the study is further justified by the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project currently under construction,” said Bob Garrett, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. “US 522 is one of the corridors that is likely to experience an increase in traffic volumes and development potential. The timing of this study is opportune, as it will help us take some of the next steps needed to proactively address existing transportation issues that may be worsened when CSVT completely opens to traffic in 2027.”

Area stakeholders and the public are invited to learn about the study and provide their input at an upcoming public open house event on March 22. The agenda will include a brief overview of the study process and a presentation of initial findings. Participants will have the opportunity to share their transportation concerns and desires for the corridor.

“Hearing directly from the public about their transportation concerns on US 522 will give us a clear understanding of areas along the corridor that need further evaluation or improvement,” said Herman. ”The feedback we hear during the meeting will inform the next phases of the study process and help shape the action plan.”

The public meeting will take place on March 22 at 5:00pm at the Penn Township Municipal Building, at 228 Clifford Road, Selinsgrove.

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.

Request for Proposals: ARC Power Initiative

Posted on March 10, 2022 by

The ARC POWER Initiative 2022 Request for Proposals is open.

ARC POWER funds target federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.

Please note that Letters of Intent (LOI) are due by April 4th, 2022. It does not lock you into an application but without an LOI, you are not able to apply.
ARC POWER proposals are due April 29, 2022.

ARC POWER website: https://www.arc.gov/power-how-to-apply/
RFP: https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/POWER-2022-RFP.pdf

Betsy Lockwood is able to assist potential applicants. Please feel free to contact her at elockwood@seda-cog.org if you have any questions.

SEDA-COG Weatherization Receives Additional UGI Funding

Posted on February 14, 2022 by

The Weatherization program at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has received additional funding from UGI to help residents of our area not only stay warm this winter, but to prepare their homes for cold weather throughout the year. This program improves energy usage within the entire house at no cost.

The Low-Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) provides energy saving improvements to qualifying households to help reduce their utility bills and/or usage. This program presents no cost to qualifying UGI customers. It allows residents a safer living environment with a warmer home during the heating season and a cooler home during the summer. After the home energy evaluation, the following conservation services and/or equipment may include: insulation, air sealing, heating system repairs, furnace clean, tune, and safety inspection, door and window caulking and weather stripping, or carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

SEDA-COG’s coverage includes three different areas of our region: Penn North (PNG), Electric Riders – Penn North, and Central Penn (CPG). PNG covers the following counties: Columbia, Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder, Montour, and Luzerne. CPG covers Huntingdon, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland, and Union counties.

UGI has granted a budget of $567,000 to PNG, $467,500 to CPG, and $10,000 to Electric Riders.

Mandy Fox, chief of SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program, said, “This new funding offers people more opportunities to weatherize their homes and stay prepared for whatever weather comes our way.”

To qualify for LIURP services, residents must meet the following requirements:
• An active UGI residential gas heating or electric account
• 12 consecutive billing periods
• Higher than average gas or electric usage within the past 12 months
o 950 CCFs (UGI GAS)
o 6,000 Kwh (Electric Non-Heating)
o 12,788 Kwh (Electric Heat)
• Gross annual income within the 150% of the Federal Poverty Level
• If renting, written permission from the landlord to proceed

LIURP Household Income
150% Federal Poverty Guidelines 2022-2023

Household Members | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Weekly Income
1 $20,385 $1,699 $392
2 $27,465 $2,289 $528
3 $34,545 $2,879 $664
4 $41,625 $3,469 $800
5 $48,705 $4,059 $937
6 $55,785 $4,649 $1,073
7 $62,865 $5,239 $1,209
8 $69,945 $5,829 $1,345
Above 8 +$7,080/person +$590/person +$136/person

To reach out and get signed up for LIURP, residents can call 800-844-9276, email liurpteam@ugi.com, or visit www.ugi.com/assistance=programs/liurp.

If residents don’t qualify for LIURP services, they may still qualify for SEDA-COG Weatherization’s LIHEAP or Crisis assistance. SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program can be reached at 570-522-7219.

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