News – Page 44 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG offers two programs at no cost for home heating assistance

Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by DNS Admin

With colder weather arriving, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) will again offer the Crisis program to residents who qualify for fuel assistance, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program repairs malfunctioning heating units at no cost.

Additionally, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stimulus funds will be used to offer a new service, the LIHEAP Clean and Tune Pilot program for residents. The goal of this program is to perform preventative maintenance services on residents’ primary heating equipment.

Residents should contact their local county assistance office to see if they qualify for these programs. They are being offered from October 18, 2021 through May 6, 2022.

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. SEDA-COG’s Weatherization program can be reached at 570-522-7219.

Crisis Income Eligibility Guidelines

Family size:

1 – $19,320;
2 – $26,130;
3 – $32,940;
4 – $39,750;
5 – $46,560;
6 – $53,370;
7 – $60,180;
8 – $66,990.

County Assistance Offices

Columbia: 570-387-4232
Juniata: 717-436-2158
Mifflin: 717-242-6095
Montour: 1-866-410-2093
Perry: 717-582-5038
Snyder: 570-372-1721
Union: 570-524-2201

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. .

Grant for Penn Township, Snyder County businesses open until October 30

Posted on September 29, 2021September 29, 2021 by DNS Admin

For a limited time, funding assistance is on the way to micro-businesses in Penn Township, Snyder County that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Until October 30, microenterprises (those with five employees or fewer) in the township can apply for a $19,741 Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Relief (CDBG-CV) grant. Funds will be in response to damage caused by quarantine and will prevent further damage by keeping businesses operational during future quarantine and social distancing mandates.

Eligible business expenses include:

• Payroll
• Rent/mortgage
• Utilities (such as oil, gas, electric, water/sewer, internet, phone)
• Supplies (needed for day-to-day operations up to 90 days)
• Equipment purchases needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus
• Insurance
• Accounting
• Legal
• Advertising

Business owners must meet income eligibility requirements. Interested applicants within Penn Township should contact the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce (GSVCC) at 570-743-4100.

Snyder County, on behalf of Penn Township, has allocated the CDBG-CV grant because of businesses shutting down during stay-at-home orders. SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is administering the funds for the county.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

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

SEDA-COG offers American Rescue Plan revenue loss calculation assistance to local municipalities

Posted on September 29, 2021 by DNS Admin

In early March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law. As part of the Act, local counties and municipalities received stimulus funding. Immediately after the interim rule governing the regulations of ARPA were released, SEDA-COG staff became students of the applicable federal requirements to assist local governments and ensure the funds are administered in compliance with regulation. One of the immediate needs for many ARPA recipients is to calculate the revenue loss realized during the pandemic. SEDA-COG is pleased to offer revenue loss calculation services to our region.

According to Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG’s executive director, “As Central PA’s regional community and economic development agency, it is our normal job to work with both the federal and state governments to bring the needed financial, human, and technical resources to the 295 communities of our region. But in moments of crisis, whether it is a natural disaster or public health crisis such as a pandemic, we exist and stand ready to serve as a support system for those in need in our 11-county region. It’s in our mission to be an extension of services for our counties and municipalities. Therefore, it was a natural role for SEDA-COG staff to immerse themselves into the legislation so that we can provide technical assistance, including determining how we can calculate the revenue loss for our municipalities,” stated Wheeler.

If municipalities and counties are seeking assistance they should contact, Kristen Moyer, SEDA-COG’s community relations director, at kmoyer@seda-cog.org or 570-522-7212.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Housing rehabilitation work offers opportunity for general contractors for Sullivan County

Posted on September 20, 2021 by DNS Admin

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 funded with Community Development Block Grant funds typically range from $20,000 to $65,000, with timely payment to contractors.

Sullivan County and SEDA-COG strive 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.

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.