Category: SEDA-COG

Technical proposal seminar for small business owners

Technical proposal seminar for small business owners

Posted on by DNS Admin

Small business owners can learn how to write technical proposals in order to win federal contracts at a seminar cosponsored by SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 1450 S. Atherton St., State College.

Understanding a potential customer’s needs and generating a compliant proposal are critical to winning federal contracts. Firms must be familiar with the agency’s procurement process, clearly identify what the buyer has requested, and determine the best method to position and present their firm in the proposal.

This session is designed to equip participants with the knowledge of how to develop a compliant and effective technical proposal. The session includes but is not limited to: assessing solicitation documents; preparing outlines to ensure compliance with the solicitation; and identifying effective methods to present your company’s response.

Topics presented by Quality, Compliance, & Management Inc. include:

  • Understanding the procurement process
  • Review and analysis of solicitation/request for proposal (RFP)
  • Presenting well – what reviewers look for
  • Tailoring the components of the technical proposal to the buyer’s need
  • Presenting past performance
  • Use of templates

Space is limited to 30 attendees. To register for this free seminar, visit https://bit.ly/2M3aQ7u.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. To do so, contact Tina Young at 301-604-9898 or tyoung@qcmconsulting.com.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG’s Jennifer Heebner at 570-522-7256 or email jheebner@seda-cog.org.

This project is funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

SEDA-COG’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps companies explore and compete in the local, state, and federal government marketplace. For more information visit SEDA-COG Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Housing rehabilitation grants offer opportunity for general contractors

Housing rehabilitation grants offer opportunity for general contractors

Posted on by DNS Admin

With three housing rehabilitation grants recently awarded in the region, there’s an even greater opportunity for general contractors to work with municipalities and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

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 typically range from $20,000 to $65,000, with timely payment to contractors.

SEDA-COG strives 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.

While the $500,000 grants were each awarded to Berwick Borough, Jersey Shore Borough, and Mount Carmel Township, SEDA-COG also works with housing rehabilitation programs in the Town of Bloomsburg, City of Lock Haven, Milton, Mount Carmel, and South Williamsport boroughs, the City of Sunbury, and Juniata, Montour, Snyder, and Sullivan counties.

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.

Mount Carmel Borough residents to see flood insurance savings

Mount Carmel Borough residents to see flood insurance savings

Posted on by DNS Admin

Mount Carmel Borough has a much smaller floodplain and residents can expect to see significantly reduced flood insurance premiums as a result.

Mount Carmel Borough in partnership with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is holding a public meeting to educate residents and businesses on how they can reduce their flood insurance bills, including how to give this information to their banks and insurance companies so they can realize the savings.

The flood insurance savings meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Mount Carmel Area High School, 600 W. Fifth St., Mount Carmel. There will be light refreshments.

If interested, attendees are to RSVP by Oct. 1 to SEDA-COG’s Liz Herman at eherman@seda-cog.org or 570-524-4491.

Teri Provost, director of SEDA-COG’s Flood Resiliency program, said these savings are significant on the individual and community levels.

“This is a tremendous change for the borough. Not only can homeowners realize significant savings on their flood insurance premiums, but these savings can translate into a revitalized community with more salable homes and more potential local investment,” Provost said.

This is possible because of the $14.5 million Shamokin Creek Flood Risk Management Project that SEDA-COG managed in 2016. The rebuilt channel protects 108 homes from flooding through a 15-block area of Shamokin Creek that runs through Mount Carmel Borough. Erosion and age had caused the stone retaining wall along the creek to crumble, and sediment build-up caused the creek bed to become shallow, blocking the flow of water and causing it to back up and flood the homes along the creek.

Elimination of the flood hazard involved construction of a concrete and earthen channel, along with an earthen levee, improvements to storm drainage and sanitary sewer systems, streambank stabilization, installation of new bridges at Walnut, Chestnut, Hickory, Pine and Vine streets, and reconstruction of Water and Turnpike streets.

Prior to this project, this area was in the floodplain. Now, the rebuilt channel mitigates that risk for the borough.

Because of this, a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) will become effective Oct. 7 and will revise the National Flood Insurance Program map, officially removing much of the borough from the floodplain. Mount Carmel Borough funded the LOMR, investing about $30,000.

Glass House Inn has new ownership thanks to SEDA-COG financing

Glass House Inn has new ownership thanks to SEDA-COG financing

Posted on by DNS Admin
ERIE – The Glass House Inn is under new ownership, thanks to a loan partnership with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and Northwest Bank.  

Nigam Bhavsar bought the motel at 3202 W. 26St. from the prior third-generation owners with this financing. The inn had previously been updated including the carpeting, mattresses, and 32-inch TVs in each room, along with offering free Wi-Fi. The inn also has a well-maintained outdoor pool.  

As a result of the project, two full-time jobs will be created.  

The loans through SEDA-COG offered the low interest rates and long terms Bhavsar needed to make his business endeavor successful.  

The $281,700 Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan offered a fixed 20-year low interest rate, and the $60,000 SEDA-COG TEAM loan also had the benefit of a fixed low interest rate.  

Bhavsar said John Reichard, SEDA-COG senior relationship manager, was helpful throughout the process.  

“Everyone at SEDA-COG was very responsive and professional when answering all my questions. John Reichard was very knowledgeable with the SBA 504 program and walked me through the details of the program,” Bhavsar said.  

Northwest Bank partnered with SEDA-COG on the project with most of the financing.  

Paul Kruszewski, Northwest Bank business banker, said the partnership made for a “winning solution” for the borrower.  

“SEDA-COG was instrumental in providing a financing solution for Dattam Hospitality LLC (Nigam Bhavsar). By offering an attractive rate and borrower-friendly terms, Northwest and SEDA-COG provided a winning solution to our borrower,” Kruszewski said. “The staff at SEDA-COG was very timely and informative, allowing for an easy loan approval process. I look forward to partnering with John Reichard and SEDA-COG on future opportunities.”  

For more information about the Glass House Inn, visit www.glasshouseinn.com.  

To start a financing partnership with SEDA-COG, call 1-800-332-6701 and ask for the Business Finance department or email John Reichard at jreichard@seda-cog.org.  

Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution that offers a complete line of personal and business banking products, loans, investment management, trust and insurance services and employee benefits from 172 full-service locations across Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Northwest Bancshares Inc. is the holding company of Northwest Bank and is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market as NWBI. For more information, visit www.northwest.com.  

SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department serves the entire state of Pennsylvania for the SBA 504 program. For Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and SEDA-COG loans, SEDA-COG serves 11 central Pennsylvania counties: Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union.