News – Page 4 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG Hosting Bringing the World to PA Event

Posted on July 17, 2025December 12, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA — Lewisburg, PA –SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) and BusinessPA, which is part of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), are Bringing the World to Central PA on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Bellefonte, PA.

The yearly event provides the opportunity for businesses to meet one-on-one with Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representatives and discuss how their company can enter or grow in over 40 markets worldwide.

This event is free of charge. Preregistration is required to attend. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 8, 2025.

The link to register is https://bit.ly/BTW2CPA. If you have any questions, please email SEDA-COG’s Director of Export of Assistance Noelle Long at nlong@seda-cog.org or call 570-524-4491.

BusinessPA, in partnership with its Regional Export Network (REN) partners, are coordinating multiple events around the state for Pennsylvania companies interested in strengthening and elevating their export strategies and performance.

“Export development services provided by the state of Pennsylvania are a valuable resource to small to mid-size companies such as Xact Metal,” said SEDA-COG client and VP of Global Sales Dave Jankowski. “We would not have grown globally without its support.”

Event Details
Date: Sept. 17, 2025
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Brass 16823, 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Registration Deadline: Sept. 8, 2025
Link: https://bit.ly/BTW2CPA

Photo available for use courtesy of SEDA-COG.

Photo Description: Trade representative from the Netherlands discusses exporting strategies with local business owner at 2024 Bringing the World to Central PA event.

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.

Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA)

Posted on July 9, 2025August 22, 2025 by DNS Admin

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has released several resources to assist with the development of applications for BEAD Round Two. These resources can be found on the PBDA BEAD Program Page, under “Additional Information”.

These resources include a revised list of BEAD Eligible Locations, updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), an overview of BEAD Program changes, and an update to Round Two scoring criteria to align with federal requirements.

If you have additional questions regarding Round Two of the BEAD Program, please reach out to ra-dcpbda_bead@pa.gov.

Thank You,
The PBDA Team

SEDA-COG News Release

Posted on June 16, 2025June 19, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has been actively investigating the potential mismanagement of two housing rehabilitation projects under our administration in the Borough of Berwick. Since discovering the potential issues in 2024, SEDA-COG reported the concerns to Borough officials and to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (PA DCED). PA DCED conducted its own investigation, resulting in findings regarding other past contracts in SEDA-COG’s grant-funded housing rehabilitation program.

SEDA-COG has a long history of working with municipal partners to create a positive impact in the region’s communities. Over the past decade, we have managed the rehabilitation of 308 homes in 14 communities with an investment of almost $15 million. The projects affected by the DCED findings represent a small number of total contracts.

As an agency devoted to public service, we continue to remain focused on improving processes and the delivery of services to the communities and the individuals we serve. We have restructured the management of the program and are committed to working with both the PA DCED and affected municipalities to efficiently and effectively take corrective action.

The SEDA-COG Board of Directors and staff are committed to providing transparency and accountability and will continue to brief its stakeholders on our efforts to comprehensively remediate the findings.

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 HDC receives $450K PHARE funds to jumpstart CRIB project

Posted on June 14, 2025June 19, 2025 by Nancy Osborn

Photo description: Currently vacant, this longstanding structure in the heart of Shamokin is set to undergo a multi-year, mixed-use redevelopment, with plans to include affordable housing and a potential business incubator.

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has received $450,000 from the 2024 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), from the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), to jumpstart its Coal Region Innovation Builder (CRIB) project in the City of Shamokin.

CRIB is a mixed-use redevelopment project taking a vacant, historic building in Shamokin’s downtown core and turning it into a vibrant community hub that will ultimately include eleven energy-efficient, affordable housing units and a proposed business incubator to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With housing affordability continuing to be an issue in the city and region, this project will implement a rent structure that ensures accessibility for lower-income groups.

By prioritizing affordable housing and the incubator space, the project will foster financial stability for low-income families and provide opportunities for community-based businesses, creating a lasting impact on household stability and the local economy.

The $450,000 PHARE funds will be used to initiate Phase I and II of the multi-year, multi-funded project, which is expected to cost over $5 million once completed.

The PHARE funds received will cover the acquisition of the building, exterior renovations, and begin development of the first two floors—the proposed incubator, one ADA-compliant housing unit on the first floor, and five additional housing units on the second floor.

Located in the heart of the multi-million-dollar downtown Independence Street streetscape project, the CRIB project is positioned to maximize impact by revitalizing housing options and commercial spaces as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance economic resilience in Shamokin.

This funding is part of a statewide initiative unveiled earlier this week by PHFA. This year, PHFA is distributing $73 million in PHARE funding to support 387 housing and community development projects across all 67 counties, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis and expanding access to safe, affordable housing.

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $19.7 billion of funding for more than 205,147 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

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. About SEDA-COG HDC
The SEDA-COG HDC is a 501(c)(3) corporation that works to enhance, promote, and develop housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families in order to relieve the poor, distressed, and underprivileged, to lessen the burdens of government, and to combat community deterioration.