SEDA-Council of Governments
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) serves 11 central Pennsylvania counties, offering a wide range of services including business loans, community and economic development, elderly rental housing, export assistance, flood resiliency, home rehabilitation, IT, rail services, government contracting assistance, transportation planning, and weatherization.
Services Provided by SEDA-COG
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) offers a wide range of services to the central Pennsylvania region, including business loans, community development, economic development, elderly rental housing, export assistance, flood resiliency, home rehabilitation, information technology, rail services, selling to the government (APEX), transportation planning, and weatherization among others. Each service is tailored to meet specific community and business needs, thereby enhancing the economic and social well-being of the 11 central Pennsylvania counties it serves.
SEDA-COG Business Finance Department
SEDA-COG's Business Finance Department provides access to low-interest loans with fixed rates, long terms, and low down-payments. Since 1981, the department has approved over 900 loans exceeding $220 million, supporting the creation or retention of more than 11,000 jobs. Loan amounts range from $25,000 to $5 million, encompassing various programs such as Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loans, Revolving Loan Funds (RLF), SBA 504 loans, Telecommunications Equity and Marcellus (TEAM), and USDA Intermediary Re-lending Program.
Weatherization Services by SEDA-COG
SEDA-COG provides comprehensive weatherization services to income-qualifying homeowners and renters in Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. These services include energy education, furnace repair and replacement, heating system repairs, hot water heater installation, cold weather crisis intervention, air leak sealing, insulation installation, energy-efficient lighting installation, digital thermostat installation, and indoor air quality testing. Since 2008, more than 8,600 homes have benefited from these weatherization services.
SEDA-COG APEX Accelerator Program
The APEX Accelerator Program at SEDA-COG aids businesses in selling their goods and services to government agencies. Since its inception in 1985, the program has facilitated contracts totaling $3.7 billion, supporting the creation or retention of 71,889 jobs. The program offers a valuable resource for small businesses to navigate the complexities of government contracting and secure profitable opportunities.
SEDA-COG Transportation Planning Services
SEDA-COG's transportation planning services are crucial for developing and maintaining the region's infrastructure. Available in Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties, these services include the comprehensive Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is updated every two years and details the region's transportation priorities within the first four years of the Commonwealth’s Twelve Year Transportation Program. Notably, the planning services also include projects such as the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) project.