News

High-speed internet to expand in four counties

High-speed internet service is expanding in four counties because of a $2.5 million grant awarded to SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) on behalf of the counties.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER grant funds internet expansion to unreached areas in Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, and Union counties, reaching over 1,500 households, including over 20 businesses.

The grant will supplement $4 million of SEDA-COG’s revolving loan funds. The selected internet service provider will match these funds with $1.5 million of private investment funds.

SEDA-COG will provide funding through reimbursable grants and low-interest loans to incentivize an internet service provider to expand internet service into unserved and underserved rural regions of the four counties where traditional buildout is otherwise economically infeasible.

As the main grant applicant, Union County Commissioner Preston Boop said this is great news.

“Expanding broadband in this region and extending service to help the unserved and underserved has been a priority here in Union County and we appreciate everyone coming together to make this happen,” Boop said.

SEDA-COG Board President and Columbia County Commissioner Rich Ridgway emphasized the important role internet access plays, especially during the pandemic.

“We’ve learned the importance of the internet during the pandemic. It’s important in our business and private lives not to mention our school students. Hopefully, this will make everyone’s lives less stressful moving forward,” Ridgway said.

Mike Fisher, SEDA-COG assistant executive director, thanked the legislators and four counties and said this will build on SEDA-COG’s other internet expansion project.

“We could not have done this without the support of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, state Sens. Joe Scarnati, Gene Yaw, and John Gordner, and state Reps. Garth Everett, Lynda Schlegel Culver, and Donna Oberlander. We especially thank the leadership of Clinton, Lycoming, Northumberland, and Union counties and their staff,” Fisher said. “This is a true private-public partnership effort to bridge the last-mile funding gap, one that SEDA-COG is currently proving works in Juniata County with our pilot project.”

Residents & Businesses Reached by County

Clinton: 360 homes and seven businesses in the area east of Loganton and Bucktail Medical Center in Renovo comprising 14 miles of fiber in a 7-mile area.

Lycoming: 190 homes and five businesses in Moreland Township comprising 16 miles of fiber in a 7-mile area.

Northumberland: 240 homes and seven businesses in the Rt. 147 area south of Sunbury to Fishers Ferry. This includes Upper Augusta, Lower Augusta, and Rockefeller townships, comprising 15 miles of fiber in a 6-mile area.

Union: 750 homes and five businesses in Mazeppa and Kelly Township comprising of 15 miles of fiber in an 8-mile area.

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.

Application window extended for Snyder County entities to apply for COVID relief funds

The application window has been extended for Snyder County small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to apply to receive part of a grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The application deadline is now Oct. 30 for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds. It was originally Oct. 2.

The county allocated $1.3 million CRBG funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to this program.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020 for the prevention, preparedness, and response to the COVID-19 crisis. For a full list of eligibility requirements and grant application forms, www.snydercounty.org. The due dates on the forms can be disregarded as they reflect the original deadline.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

County Commissioner Joe Kantz said he hopes more businesses will apply by the end of the month.

“We’d especially like to see more small businesses apply for these grants. We’ve extended the deadline for this opportunity to help them recover from the pandemic’s effects,” Kantz said.

Fully completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 30 via email to SEDA-COG’s Jamie Shrawder at jshrawder@seda-cog.org or faxed to 570-524-9190. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Oct. 28 and sent to Snyder County Commissioners, ATTN: Tony Phillips, Chief Clerk, P.O. Box 217, 9 W. Market St., Middleburg, PA 17842.

For more information, contact Shrawder at the email above or at 570-522-7263.

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.

Request for Proposals – Weatherization Subcontractors

Call for Subcontractors
FOR QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, HVAC, ASBESTOS ABATEMENT, MOLD REMOVAL, RADON MITIGATION AND ROOFERS

Project: WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM For ongoing services in Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Luzerne, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. This project is fully supported by grant funds that are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services (DHS), Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

Scope of Work
SEDA-COG is seeking to establish and maintain a list of qualified contractors who can perform and install electrical, heat system repair and replacement measures, radon mitigation, mold removal, asbestos abatement and minor roofing repairs in program‐eligible homes located in Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Luzerne, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. The Agency reserves the right to accept or reject contractors for the contract year based on the number of active contractors already in its contractor pool. Professional Service contractors (electricians, plumbers, HVAC, radon mitigators, asbestos abatement contractors, mold removal contractors, and roofing contractors) will submit hourly billing rate information as part of the RFP. The duration of a contract awarded as a result of this Proposal will be for one year from November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021.

Subcontractors that demonstrate qualifications and meet all the requirements will be considered a qualified contractor and may be eligible for a contract to provide services as required by SEDA-COG.

Subcontractors SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE for third party post-installation inspections of the work completed, if applicable. Being on the contractor list and having an active contract DOES NOT guarantee any work.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CONSIDERATION:

  • • Subcontractors wishing to be considered for Weatherization work must submit Subcontractor Application Form and executed Agreement for Subcontractor Services for Activities.
  • • Subcontractors will be required to carry all applicable certifications required to perform their applicable scope of work.
  • • It is required that all prospective Subcontractors visit the following websites and read the Core Competencies for the Weatherization Assistance Program prior to requesting program participation. The document provides guidance for the Subcontractor of the expectations and standards required for participation in the Weatherization program. The website is located at https://nascsp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/wap-core-competencies.pdf.
  • • Also, the Standard Weatherization Specifications may be found at https://sws.nrel.gov/. Subcontractors working this program will be held to these standard requirements. All work performed under this contract will be subject to a Quality Control Inspection by a SEDA-COG inspector and held to the standards set forth by the Standard Weatherization Specifications as stated above. Installation or repair services must pass the SEDA-COG Quality Control Inspection and if applicable, receive all third-party inspection approvals prior to the release of any payment for the services rendered by the contractor.
  • • Any Subcontractor who is found listed on the Federal Debarment List will not be allowed to participate.
  • • Subcontractors will be required to carry Commercial General Liability with SEDA-COG listed as a certificate holder and additional insured, as follows $1,000,000 each occurrence, $1,000,000 personal and advertising injury, $2,000,000 Products-Complete Operations and $2,000,000 Aggregate Limit. Contractors shall also be listed as a PA Home Improvement Contractor licensee through the Office of the Attorney General.
  • • Once a Subcontractor is accepted, they are subject to all the terms and conditions of the contracts obtained by the SEDA-COG. Those terms and conditions become an addendum to SEDA-COG contract with the Subcontractor and/or its contractor(s).
  • • The Subcontractor is required to submit detailed analysis, testing, photos, and documentation to SEDA-COG. Per state guidelines, SEDA-COG is required to receive at least two (2) separate quotes from Subcontractors prior to executing work performed that will cost over $5,000.
  • • Inquiries should be directed to Kristy Heintzelman, WX Program Analyst at 570-522-7247. Application packets may be picked up at our Weatherization office at 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837 or mailed to the contractor at their request. All proposals will need to be submitted in a sealed envelope and delivered either by mail or in person to SEDA-COG WX, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837 by Friday, October 23, 2020 no later than 2:00pm and shall be marked, “WX Subcontractor Work”. All submitted applications will become the exclusive property of SEDA-COG.

 

FINAL NOTICE – Centre County Public Hearing

RUN DATE: October 2, 2020
CONTACT: Nicole Hogan, (570) 524-4491

FINAL NOTICE

On October 28, 2020, Centre County plans to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The amount of the FFY 2020 CDBG funds for Centre County is $351,058 and $115,190 for the Borough of Bellefonte. Based on this amount, the Centre County Commissioners , along with the Bellefonte Borough Council propose to allocate CDBG funds to the following activities:

  • CENTRE COUNTY
    1. 1. Penn Township Water Tank Project $ 209,058
    2. 2. Haines-Aaronsburg Water Well Rehab $ 80,000
    3. 3. SEDA-COG Administration $ 62,000
  • TOTAL $ 351,058
  • BELLEFONTE BOROUGH
    1. 4. Streetscape Safety Improvement $ 95,190
    2. 5. SEDA-COG Administration $ 20,000
  • TOTAL $ 115,190

A Public Hearing to receive comments on the proposed use of these funds will be held on October 13, 2020, at 6:00 PM. Keeping with federal and state guidelines regarding COVID 19, this meeting will take place as a virtual video web and tele conference. The public is invited to observe and participate in the hearing as follows: To access via web video, type the link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/8383951780. To access via telephone dial +1(470)869-2200 and enter Meeting ID: 838 395 1780. The meeting will be recorded. The meeting platform is accessible to persons with disabilities. If accommodations are needed for those with special needs related to language, sight, or hearing, please call (570)524-4491 at least five days in advance. Following the Public Hearing, the Centre County Commissioners will consider the approval of the FFY 2020 CDBG application at the October 20, 2020 Commissioners Meeting.

In addition, a hearing will also be held to revise the previously allocated $40,875 for the Emergency Services Assistance Program to one of the other previously discussed CV projects, which included Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Centre Safe, Centre Rent/Mortgage/Utility assistance program, or Small Business Assistance Program. The project will be further identified by the Commissioners and public during this hearing.

The Centre County Commissioners will strive to make all programs and activities accessible to the learning, mobility, vision, hearing, and language-impaired persons. If you have a disability or limited English proficiency and require an auxiliary aid or accommodations, please contact Nicole Hogan at SEDA-COG, 1-800-332-6701, 1-800-654-5984 TTY, 1-800-654-5988 TDD, to discuss your needs at least five days in advance. Translators will be available upon request.

Any complaints should be written and submitted to Mitzi Gallagher-Long at SEDA-COG. Written responses will be addressed within 15 working days when practicable.

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