Category: SEDA-COG

SEDA-COG MPO Launches Public Survey to Identify Long Term Transportation Needs

SEDA-COG MPO Launches Public Survey to Identify Long Term Transportation Needs

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEDA-COG MPO) invites the public to take an online survey to share regional transportation needs and priorities. The feedback received will help to inform the organization’s 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The survey is open from August 28–September 30 and can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3XavBlo or by scanning the QR code below.

“The LRTP impacts the counties in our MPO region—Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union—ensuring that the region’s needs and potential funding levels are considered over a 25-year planning horizon,” says Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG Executive Director. “The public survey is an important step in pursuing projects that align with the region’s transportation vision and goals.”

The LRTP establishes a long-term strategy for the region’s multimodal transportation system and identifies current and future transportation needs based on system condition, demographics, economics, and land use trends. It is also used as a guide for the distribution of limited funding resources.

The plan is currently in its first phase of data collection and analysis. During the plan’s development, the MPO will assess all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, driving, transit, and freight. Once completed, the plan will be used to identify transportation investments that align with the public’s goals for the region, such as improved safety and mobility, reduced congestion, and economic development potential.

“The LRTP is updated every four or five years to reflect changes in regulations, regional demographics and travel patterns, and the priorities of residents and other stakeholders,” says Steve Herman, SEDA-COG MPO’s Director of Transportation. “A wide variety of project types will be included in the final LRTP, from major, capital-intensive projects, to those focused on traffic operations.”

Public participation is key to the development of the plan. SEDA-COG MPO encourages the public to visit the project’s website to take the survey and share their transportation priorities. If anyone requires special assistance to complete the survey or would like a printed version, please contact Kristin McLaughlin, SEDA-COG’s project manager, at 570-524-4491.

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.

The SEDA-COG Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the official transportation planning organization for eight (8) Central Pennsylvania Counties (Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union), as designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PSU Awarded $600,000 Grant to Help Fund Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance

PSU Awarded $600,000 Grant to Help Fund Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

The Pennsylvania State University was awarded a $600,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant towards the creation of a Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance.

Penn State applied for the grant with the assistance from SEDA-Council of Governments. Funds are matched with over $835,000 in industry cash and in-kind as well as a University cash match.

Grant money will be used to develop a series of educational courses, workshops, and paid internships geared towards students and existing workers to prepare the next generation for this growing industry.

Silicon carbide is a compound containing silicon and carbon that occurs in nature but can also be mass-produced for high-tech electronic chip applications.

It was recently identified as a critical material for clean technologies because of its importance in enabling the delivery of electricity from power plants, solar, and wind farms. It is also critical in advancing the next generation of electric vehicles. The U.S. isn’t producing enough silicon carbide to meet demand, which is expected to be two to three times the need by 2030.

With this investment, the Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance will serve as a Pennsylvania and national resource for the silicon carbide semiconductor growth and manufacturing industry.

SEDA-COG’s Betsy Lockwood, director of project development and grants, assisted the Alliance in applying for the grant.

On one of the many benefits of the grant, Lockwood said, “This project brings together industry and academia to establish a strong semiconductor workforce development program that will attract companies from around the nation to the PA Appalachian Region.”

The Appalachian Region Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development partners with ARC to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

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.

Shamokin Wins Townie Award

Shamokin Wins Townie Award

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

The City of Shamokin is experiencing a downtown revitalization, and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center has taken notice, bestowing the Shamokin Partnership for Revitalization with a 2024 Townie Award.

The award was presented in the area of physical improvement and design for public space improvement at Illumination Station Pocket Park.

The Townie Awards are a celebrated and long-standing tradition aimed at honoring key communities and individuals within the commonwealth who develop and execute projects, programs, and events that align with the goals of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s community revitalization mission. Nearly 200 member organizations, including those participating in Main Street and Elm Street programs, are eligible to compete for these prestigious awards, making the Townies a highly competitive annual event.

On hand to accept the award were Betsy Kramer, community revitalization manager at SEDA-Council of Governments and project manager for GoShamokin, Justin Bainbridge, downtown manager for the City of Shamokin, and Sean Garrigan of Stomberg, Garrigan & Associate.

Through its revitalization plan, GoShamokin, the Shamokin Partnership for Revitalization has already undertaken several projects that display the transformative power of community-driven initiatives, with many more projects planned.

Illumination Station Pocket Park stands as a shining example of what has already been accomplished. Located in the heart of Shamokin, this project turned two unsightly, blighted buildings into a welcoming place where individuals of all ages can gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. Moreover, Illumination Station Pocket Park embodies the spirit of community collaboration. From the initial planning stages to the ongoing maintenance efforts, this project has brought together residents, local businesses, and civic organizations in a shared commitment to revitalizing the cityscape. Through their dedication and hard work, they have demonstrated what can be achieved when communities unite behind a common vision.

“This award is a testament to the Shamokin community’s remarkable spirit and resilience. Together, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities, creating spaces like Illumination Station Pocket Park that infuse joy and vitality into the downtown of Shamokin,” remarked Betsy Kramer, community revitalization program manager at SEDA-COG.

“As downtown manager for the City of Shamokin, this recognition from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center motivates us to continue our work in making Shamokin a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming place for all,” said Justin Bainbridge.

“The prestigious Townie Award from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center speaks to the great achievements that the City of Shamokin and all of its community partners have been able to accomplish. Illumination Station represents one more step in the growing vibrancy of Downtown Shamokin,” Sean Garrigan of Stromberg, Garrigan & Associates stated.

The community of Shamokin not only has plans for the repurposing and reuse of other vacant properties throughout the city but also the incorporation of a “Complete Streets” strategy. This strategy considers safe access to streets for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

The Shamokin Partnership for Revitalization was established in 2018 between the City of Shamokin, SEDA-COG, and Shamokin Area Businesses for Economic Revitalization (SABER). As the revitalization has evolved, the city was able to forge a new partnership with the Shamokin Area Economic Development Authority (SAEDA) and bring onboard a new downtown manager, Justin Bainbridge in 2024.

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 eleven central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. 

 

For more information, please contact Nancy Osborn, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-254-4491 x7234 or 570-768-0525 or nosborn@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities

SEDA-COG Secures $1.5 Million EPA Coalition Grant for Brownfield Assessments

SEDA-COG Secures $1.5 Million EPA Coalition Grant for Brownfield Assessments

Posted on by Nancy Osborn

SEDA-Council of Governments is proud to announce the successful award of a $1.5 million EPA Coalition Grant. This grant is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s investing in America agenda, which is providing over $300 million in grants to help states, Tribal Nations, local governments, and non-profit organizations assess and clean up polluted brownfield sites across the country.

The $1.5 million grant secured by SEDA-COG is designated for environmental assessments throughout an 11-county region in central Pennsylvania. The grant aims to provide thorough environmental assessments and reuse plans for brownfield properties, which are defined as properties that may have complications due to the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.

The funds will become available on October 1, 2024. At that time, a Qualified Environmental Professional will be selected, with projects expected to begin in early 2025. Priority projects, identified in the grant application, are located in the coalition lead counties of Clinton, Mifflin, and Northumberland.

“This grant is a major step forward in revitalizing our region,” said Betsy Kramer, Community Revitalization Program Manager of SEDA-COG. “By addressing and mitigating environmental concerns on brownfield sites, we can pave the way for new developments, improve public health, and enhance the overall quality of life in our communities.”

The successful application and award of this grant highlight the collaborative efforts of the planning directors and commissioners of the lead counties, whose assistance was crucial in securing this funding. This achievement marks the third highly competitive EPA Brownfield Grant secured by the SEDA-COG Community Revitalization team since 2021, bringing the total EPA funds received to $2.8 million.

What This Grant Means for Our Region:

Revitalization and Economic Growth: This funding will enable the transformation of previously unusable land into valuable community assets, fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability. New developments such as diversifying downtown businesses and creating new affordable housing opportunities are key anticipated outcomes.

Public Health and Quality of Life: By addressing environmental concerns, we can improve public health and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents.

Infrastructure Connectivity: The project will capitalize on and connect with existing infrastructure such as biking and pedestrian trails, parks, and downtown revitalization initiatives.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the planning directors and commissioners of Mifflin, Clinton, and Northumberland counties for their unwavering support and collaboration in this endeavor,” added Frankie Cabradilla Hockenbrocht, Community Capacity Coordinator of SEDA-COG. “Their efforts have been instrumental in securing this transformative funding for our region. We also thank the talented and intelligent team at SEDA-COG, who are doing inspiring work in our communities every day.”

For more information about this grant and its impact on our region, please contact:

Betsy Kramer
Community Revitalization
SEDA-COG
201 Furnace Road
Lewisburg, PA 17837
(570) 524-4491
bkramer@seda-cog.org

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.

For more information, please contact Nancy Osborn, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-254-4491 x7234 or 570-768-0525 or nosborn@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities