SEDA-COG – Page 57 – SEDA Council of Governments

Heating units repaired at no cost for qualifying residents

Posted on November 14, 2019December 30, 2019 by DNS Admin

With colder weather arriving, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) offers a Crisis program to residents who qualify for fuel assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The Crisis program repairs a malfunctioning heating unit at no cost. This program runs from Nov. 1 to April 10.

Mandy Fox, chief of SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program, said this is an important offering of which many people aren’t aware.

“Many people don’t know we offer a program that can resolve their heating emergency at no cost, if qualified. Our subcontractors respond to these heating emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing clients with one warm room until the issue is resolved,” Fox said.

For residents whose heat source is malfunctioning, they should call their county assistance office. The county assistance office will forward the completed referral to SEDA-COG to assign to a subcontractor.

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.

CRISIS INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Family size: 1 – $18,735; 2 – $25,365; 3 – $31,995; 4 – $38,625; 5 – $45,255; 6 – $51,885; 7 – $58,515; 8 – $65,145.

COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICES

Columbia: 570-387-4200
Juniata: 717-436-2158
Mifflin: 717-248-6746
Montour: 570-275-7430
Perry: 1-800-991-1929
Snyder: 570-374-8126
Union: 570-524-2201

Ribbon cutting to mark Shamokin revitalization effort

Posted on October 17, 2019December 30, 2019 by DNS Admin

The public is invited to a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of the office for the Partnership for Revitalization in Shamokin.

The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) new downtown office at 525 N. Market St., Shamokin.

This officially kicks off the partnership efforts to revitalize the community between Shamokin City Council, Shamokin Area Businesses for Economic Revitalization (SABER), and SEDA-COG, said Bill Seigel, SEDA-COG executive director.

“Shamokin is experiencing a rebirth and a synergy. Our partners, along with many others, have recognized the opportunity in the Shamokin area to guide the city into a revitalization revolution,” Seigel said.

The Partnership for Revitalization is funded for three years through a $300,000 Keystone Communities Fund grant, thanks to state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland).

SEDA-COG is strengthening public and private investments by immersing itself in the community and offering its staff of 45 Economic Development, Community Development, Information Technology, and Housing specialists toward the effort.

Leading this effort is Betsy Kramer, SEDA-COG’s revitalization coordinator. She will staff the Shamokin office Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment.

“Exciting things are happening in Shamokin,” Masser said. “This partnership with SEDA-COG and Betsy’s presence in the downtown is exactly what was needed. Betsy will be able to focus on the revitalization efforts and provide the coordination needed to ensure Shamokin continues moving forward.”

Seigel said SEDA-COG is committed to the revitalization efforts.

“SEDA-COG has committed itself to guide, facilitate, and support the outstanding work of the many public and private groups and individuals who are committed to investing in Shamokin,” Seigel said.

Technical proposal seminar for small business owners

Posted on October 15, 2019December 30, 2019 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

Posted on September 26, 2019December 30, 2019 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.