Category: SEDA-COG

Lewisburg, PA — Shamokin residents, business owners, and community stakeholders are invited to attend a public open house on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Casey Club Knights of Columbus, 400 East Independence Street, Shamokin.

The public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about ongoing revitalization efforts and share their ideas for the future of Shamokin.

The event is being organized by SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) in partnership with the City of Shamokin and the GoShamokin! initiative, with planning efforts supported through SEDA-COG’s EPA Brownfield Assessment Coalition Grant.

During the open house, attendees will hear a brief overview of current planning initiatives and improvement projects underway in the city before participating in interactive activities designed to gather community feedback. Informational exhibits will also be available, allowing participants to provide input directly to the planning team.

Public input gathered during the meeting will help guide future redevelopment strategies and priorities that support Shamokin’s continued economic growth and revitalization.

“Community participation is essential to the success of these efforts,” said Betsy Kramer, director of Community Revitalization at SEDA-COG. “This open house is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to learn about the work already underway and help shape the next chapter of Shamokin’s revitalization.”

Earlier the same day, several topic-focused forums will also be held with government agencies, regional partners, and community organizations. The discussions will focus on economic development, recreation and tourism opportunities, and downtown capacity-building strategies.

These discussions and the public open house are part of a broader effort to advance recommendations from the 2020 GoShamokin! Plan and identify opportunities to redevelop underutilized properties, strengthen the downtown, and expand economic development opportunities throughout the city.

Community members interested in attending are asked to RSVP by emailing Brittiny Wright at bwright@seda-cog.org.

Additional updates about Shamokin revitalization efforts can be found at goshamokin.com.

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 — At its March 5, 2026 public meeting, Williamsport City Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the next phase of the City’s federally funded levee rehabilitation project.

Betsy Kramer, director of Community Revitalization at SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDACOG), presented formal procurement recommendations to Council following a competitive qualifications-based and sealed bid process conducted in accordance with federal procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.

Council approved:
• A resolution authorizing selection of AECOM to provide professional engineering services following the completed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process.
• A resolution authorizing award of construction services to Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) following the completed Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

The procurement processes were publicly advertised, evaluated using established scoring criteria, and reviewed for compliance with FEMA and federal grant requirements. The engineering selection followed Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) standards, while the construction contract was awarded in accordance with competitive procurement requirements.

“This project represents a major investment in long-term flood protection and infrastructure resiliency for the Williamsport community,” said Kramer. “City Council’s action tonight allows us to move forward confidently into the next phase of implementation while maintaining full compliance with federal funding requirements.”

The levee rehabilitation project is funded through FEMA’s Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation (LPDM) grant program and represents an approximate $10 million dollar investment in critical flood control infrastructure.

The project will strengthen the existing levee system, reduce flood risk to residents and businesses, and enhance the City’s long-term resiliency planning efforts.

City officials emphasized that careful adherence to federal procurement standards ensures continued eligibility for reimbursement and protects taxpayer investment.

Next steps include final contract execution, submission of required documentation to FEMA and PEMA, and coordination meetings to begin detailed project planning and scheduling.

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.

Image courtesy of Stromberg, Garrigan & Associates. Preliminary rendering of Independence Street between 8th Street and Liberty Street, illustrating the proposed Phase 2 streetscape improvements.

Lewisburg, PA — With assistance from SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), the City of Shamokin has been awarded $250,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s (CFA) Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) to further advance the Independence Street Streetscape Project, a major downtown revitalization and pedestrian safety initiative.

The grant award was announced Jan. 21 as part of a $279 million investment by Pennsylvania to improve infrastructure and strengthen communities across the Commonwealth. The funding will build on previously secured federal investments and help continue work on a streetscape plan for the entire corridor.

During Phase 1, engineering and design were completed for the full Independence Street corridor, from Market Street to Shamokin Street. The work was completed by Stromberg Garrigan & Associates using $2.675 million in federal funding, which also supports construction of Phase 1.

The CFA MTF funding will support Phase 2 improvements along Independence Street between 8th Street and Liberty Street.

SEDA‑COG prepared and submitted the application on behalf of the city and will provide ongoing technical assistance and grant administration for the project.

The effort received support from local and state officials.

“This investment will help Shamokin keep moving forward with a project that improves daily life for residents and strengthens the downtown,” said Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver. Culver continued, “Independence Street is an important corridor, and these updates will make it safer and easier for people to walk, shop, and access local businesses. I appreciate the work the City has put into planning and leveraging other funding so this grant can have the greatest impact.”

“This funding will help address real, everyday needs in Shamokin—safer sidewalks, improved crossings, and better accessibility for residents of all ages and abilities. Investments like this strengthen downtowns and make our communities more livable,” said Representative Joanne Stehr.

This investment represents another important step forward in Shamokin’s long-term effort to rebuild its downtown, improve walkability, and create a safer, more accessible community for residents, businesses, and visitors.

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.

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.