SEDA-COG – Page 27 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG offers two programs at no cost for home heating assistance

Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by DNS Admin

With colder weather arriving, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) will again offer the Crisis program to residents who qualify for fuel assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program repairs malfunctioning heating units at no cost.

Additionally, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus funds will be used to offer a new service, the LIHEAP Clean and Tune Pilot program for residents. The goal of this program is to perform preventative maintenance services on residents’ primary heating equipment.

Residents should contact their local county assistance office to see if they qualify for these programs. They are being offered from October 18, 2021 through May 6, 2022.

SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program serves a seven-county area: Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Perry, Snyder, and Union.

If residents don’t qualify for LIHEAP or Crisis assistance, they may still qualify for SEDA-COG’s Weatherization services. SEDA-COG’s Weatherization services may provide furnace repair, although it is not immediate help, as it would be through Crisis. SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program can be reached at 570-522-7219.

Crisis Income Eligibility Guidelines

Family size:

1 – $19,320;
2 – $26,130;
3 – $32,940;
4 – $39,750;
5 – $46,560;
6 – $53,370;
7 – $60,180;
8 – $66,990.

County Assistance Offices

Columbia: 570-387-4232
Juniata: 717-436-2158
Mifflin: 717-242-6095
Montour: 1-866-410-2093
Perry: 717-582-5038
Snyder: 570-372-1721
Union: 570-524-2201

SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. .

Housing rehabilitation work offers opportunity for general contractors for Sullivan County

Posted on September 20, 2021 by DNS Admin

Contractor work may include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon mitigation, energy-related improvements, and, if they have certain certifications, lead-based paint mitigation.

Housing rehabilitation bids funded with Community Development Block Grant funds typically range from $20,000 to $65,000, with timely payment to contractors.

Sullivan County and SEDA-COG strive to work with local contractors to invest in the local economy, said Teri Provost, director of SEDA-COG’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“Not only do these grant awards benefit the community and homeowners, but the local economy as we seek to work with local general contractors to perform this work,” Provost said.

This means work flexibility for contractors, Provost said.

“Contractors can choose where they want to work, so there’s tremendous work flexibility,” Provost said. “Additionally, our work is year-round, so we offer a steady flow of projects. And if they don’t want to perform lead-based paint mitigation, we don’t require that certification for lead-free homes.”

Interested contractors also have the option of meeting one-on-one with SEDA-COG to answer any questions they may have. SEDA-COG streamlines the process for contractors with a rehabilitation specialist assigned to each community.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG’s Danielle King at 570-524-4491 or dking@seda-cog.org.

Planners seek feedback on CSVT special impact study findings and recommendations

Posted on September 1, 2021September 1, 2021 by DNS Admin

Area transportation leaders are inviting the public to share feedback on the potential transportation and land use impacts of the new Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project along the Interstate 180 (I-180), US 15, and PA 147 corridors.

“We initiated the CSVT Special Impact Study as a proactive evaluation of potential impacts of the new thruway on regional land use growth and transportation systems within Lycoming, Northumberland, and Union counties. It identifies strategies for addressing those impacts,” said Scott Williams, a transportation planner with the Lycoming County Planning Commission.

The study’s action plan establishes priorities and initiatives for the region as both sections of the CSVT project become open to traffic by 2027. The action plan includes the formation of a new task force of regional planners and stakeholders that will help manage the implementation of the study’s recommendations.

Two Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) within the study area are driving the study process: Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS) and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG). WATS MPO, which serves Lycoming County, is spearheading the effort in coordination with SEDA-COG and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
“The study will be completed later this fall and will include recommendations to address forecasted impacts on highway safety, traffic operations, land use, and economic development,” said Williams. “We are identifying these strategic actions and initiatives now so the CSVT project can not only improve mobility through our region but be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community development.”

“Planning for the outcomes of the CSVT project is a vitally important part of our planning program,” said James Saylor, Transportation Planning Program Director of SEDA-COG. “The full extent of CSVT’s impacts may be unknown to us at this time, but this study has helped us obtain a sense of the challenges that our communities may face. Our partnerships and collaboration with the public, our municipalities, and local stakeholders play a very important role in helping us monitor the changes that may occur as the CSVT project is completed.” Elected officials, area legislators, regional stakeholders, and the public are invited to provide feedback on the study’s preliminary results on Monday, September 13, 2021. A briefing for elected officials and legislators will be held at 4:00 pm, followed by an open public meeting at 6:00 pm. The meeting agenda will include an overview of the study’s analyses of growth and development potential, highway safety, and traffic operations, as well as proposed recommendations.

The dial-in information for the Monday, September 13, 2021 virtual meeting is below:

Dial-in Number: 1 (267) 332-8737
Conference Code: 926 689 24#
For more information on how to connect to the virtual public meeting and for information on planning efforts related to CSVT, please visit http://www.lyco.org/CSVT.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Scott Williams
Transportation Supervisor/WATS MPO
Lycoming County Planning and Community Development Department
Email: swilliams@lyco.org
Phone: (570) 320-2138

James Saylor, P.E., PTOE
Program Director – Transportation Planning SEDA-Council of Governments
Email: jsaylor@seda-cog.org
Phone: (570) 524-4491 ex. 7238

About Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS)
The Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a single county MPO covering Lycoming County. Its mission is to provide a safe, reliable, efficient, environmentally sound, and socially equitable transportation system – including air, rails, roads, bridges, public transit, and trails that enhance Lycoming County’s economic vitality and quality of life. Together with PennDOT, the WATS MPO is responsible for planning for Lycoming County’s transportation systems through the development of a Long-Range Transportation
Plan (LRTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).

About SEDA-COG
The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also advocates for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.

For more information, please contact Kristen Moyer, communications manager, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7212 or kmoyer@seda-cog.org

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities

Centre County Commissioners provide a new grant for Centre County small businesses

Posted on July 20, 2021July 20, 2021 by DNS Admin

A new COVID Relief Grant for eligible Centre County small businesses will open on July 20, 2021. The Centre County Commissioners have allocated $3,000,000 of American Rescue Plan funding for a small business grant program. The small business grant program funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The Centre County Commissioners expect the first checks to be mailed to small businesses in August.

Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said, “The Commissioners are urging businesses to apply as soon as possible. We have allocated additional funds to help Centre County businesses get back in full operation after the disastrous effects of the pandemic.”

SEDA-COG will be assisting the Centre County Commissioners by receiving and reviewing the applications. Businesses can apply at SEDA-COG’s website starting July 20, 2021, until the funds are exhausted. A full listing of requirements can be found on the website. If a business has filed their 2019 and 2020 federal business taxes, the grant application can be completed quickly.

Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG’s executive director said, “We know that small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, yet they’ve been negatively affected by the pandemic. That’s why we are so pleased to be helping the Centre County Commissioners collect and review applications to help these small businesses.” Grant amounts are in $2,000 increments up to a maximum of $20,000 and the funds will assist businesses in covering the business’ operating expenses incurred in 2021. Operating expenses include, but are not limited to payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, costs of goods, supplies, raw materials, etc.

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, being in Centre County, having fewer than 500 full-time employees, must be in business at the time of application, and plan to stay in business until at least December 31, 2021.

The grant program was created from American Rescue Plan funding through the U.S. Department of Treasury.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG Grants Manager Betsy Lockwood at 570-522-7265 or elockwood@seda-cog.org.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.