SEDA-COG – Page 8 – SEDA Council of Governments

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

Posted on August 28, 2024August 30, 2024 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.

Berwick Borough Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by DNS Admin

Berwick Borough is applying to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the borough limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The borough will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The borough will also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

The borough has partnered with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to administer the grant. Interested residents may call SEDA-COG to speak with Audrey Frederick at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements.

Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division. Ruch continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in the borough limits of Berwick;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $43,900; 2 – $50,150; 3 – $56,400; 4 – $62,650; 5 – $67,700; 6 – $72,700; 7 – $77,700; 8 – $82,700.

Montour County Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant

Posted on August 10, 2023 by DNS Admin

Montour County is applying to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $300,000 housing rehabilitation grant and interested residents who live within the county limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The county will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The county will also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

Montour County has partnered with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to administer the grant. Interested residents may call SEDA-COG to speak with Audrey Frederick at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7215.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements.

Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division. Ruch continued, “We help the homeowner get the necessary home repairs and manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in Montour County;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $50,900; 2 – $58,150; 3 – $65,400; 4 – $72,650; 5 – $78,500; 6 – $84,300; 7 – $90,100; 8 – $95,900.

Borough of Milton Looking to Expand Waitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant 

Posted on June 19, 2023June 19, 2023 by DNS Admin

News Release
June 20, 2023

The Borough of Milton recently received a $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Interested residents who live within the Borough limits should apply now to get on the waiting list for the no-cost repairs.

Qualified residents may receive up to $65,000 each for home repairs. The Borough will provide up to $50,000, as a no-interest loan, which will be forgiven if the property is not sold or transferred for at least five years after the rehabilitation is complete. The Borough shall also provide an additional $15,000 in funding that will be used to do rehabilitation work related to lead-based paint abatement or mitigation, as required.

Interested residents may call SEDA-Council of Governments’ (SEDA-COG) Ruth Wiest at 570-524-4491 Ext. 7252.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements.

Modifications for mobility-impaired residents are also eligible within this program. Homeowners must maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing for this service to be received at no cost.

“SEDA-COG manages the entire process for the homeowner,” said Joel Ruch, Housing Rehabilitation Manager of the agency’s Community Services Division.

Ruch continued, “Not only does the homeowner get necessary home repairs, but they also get the benefit of going through the process hassle-free as we manage the logistics from start to finish.”

Qualifications:

• Must live in the Borough limits of Milton;
• Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
• Meet income qualifications based on household size;
• Be current on all local taxes and municipal utility bills;
• Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
• If located in a flood zone, must provide proof of flood insurance;
• Live in the home an additional five years.
• Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:

Family size: 1 – $43,250; 2 – $49,400; 3 – $55,600; 4 – $61.750; 5 – $66,700; 6 – $71,650; 7 – $76,600; 8 – $81,550.

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

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