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BELLEFONTE -- Representatives from the Susquehanna Economic Development Association-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) attended the Centre County Commissioners meeting this week to share results of their 2023 County Activity Report.
According to their calculations, SEDA-COG's investments in Centre County have a return of $241 for every $1 spent.
At the meeting, Kim Wheeler, executive director of SEDA-COG, shared that through their partnerships and initiatives the organization enhances the quality of life and economic advantage of the 11 central Pennsylvania counties they serve.
The Council of Governments invests in communities from Northern Lycoming to Southern Perry County and from Western Centre County to Eastern Columbia County. The organization assists all 294 municipalities, four cities, 213 townships and one town that comprise the region.
"We essentially serve as an extension of county governments to provide expertise and service to communities, businesses, institutions and residents," said Wheeler.
Established by the federal Appalachian Regional Commission, SEDA-COG is one of seven regional multi-county development organizations in Pennsylvania.
SEDA-COG is the largest of these organizations, supplying the most programs and offerings in the state.
The organization is governed by a 22-member board of 11 county commissioners and 11 unelected individuals who choose how to funnel technical and financial resources from the federal government to local communities. Supported by a professional staff of roughly 85 employees, they have expertise in a wide range of fields; everything from rail freight service and international sales, to home weatherization and financial packaging.
"Some of the most important things that SEDA-COG does for its member counties is funnel those federal funds into the region and find ways to leverage those funds to make the greatest impact in your communities," said Wheeler. "We also do act as that shared service by hosting expertise that don't exist at the community or county levels, so that we can be providing that throughout many jurisdictions across the region."
SEDA-COG offers support across four different service categories, business, community, residential and transportation planning.
During the meeting Wheeler took time to show and explain the impactfulness of their most successful programs in Centre County.
The largest contributor to the return-on-investment is SEDA-COG's Export Development Program, which assisted 30 businesses in exploring exporting goods and services overseas.
SEDA-COG offers the most robust state-operated export program in the entire country, employing 13 overseas trade consultants who have expertise in 44 international markets.
The program assists businesses with market research, product compliance, export licensing, shipping and more to lower the barriers to exporting. They also offer funding for businesses to attend overseas trade shows to meet potential customers and partners.
Advanced Powder Products and Diamondback Covers of Phillipsburg, and Restek of Bellefonte are all local companies who have benefited from the program.
"Working with those 30 clients amounted to $91 million in exports from Centre County alone," said Wheeler. "Because of the density of businesses, start-ups and opportunities here in Centre County, these are our largest program numbers that we have across the region."
Another of SEDA-COG's business services programs, APEX, helps businesses contract with the government.
In 2023, SEDA-COG worked with 72 businesses in the county who were ultimately awarded $3.7 million in contracts. Assistance includes help with vending registrations, evaluating potential for sales with different levels of government, clarifying requirements, finding bid opportunities and assisting with small business certification.
Among businesses APEX has supported are Actuated Medical, Inc. and Cutting Edge Tree Professionals who have both contracted with the county since.
SEDA-COG also offers business financing assistance.
Last year alone, their lending arm helped award $150,000 in loans. By partnering with local banks, the organization offers low interest, long term fixed rate loans with low down payments to launch start-ups and fund expansion.
Currently, they have several multi-million dollar deals on the table.
"These are some of the entrepreneurial locally based growing businesses that really fuel our local economy," said County Commissioner Amber Concepcion. "A lot of them are really high tech and you can see how the kind of expertise we have coming from the university translates into high tech organizations that, with your help through SEDA-COG, are able to get the assistance they need to grow and stay here in Centre County."
SEDA-COG also administers Community Development Block Grants. The organization assists communities through the planning, development, design, funding and construction of needed public infrastructure projects that otherwise do not have the funding. In 2023, 1.4 million was expended in Centre County alone.
Over the past 35 years, hundreds of millions have been invested, benefiting largely low to moderate income individuals, and by extension the entire community as a whole.
Programs less utilized in Centre County include SEDA-COG's community revitalization programs and transportation planning services.
"Please do keep in mind these programs exist and funnel people our way when you meet them and just keep the word out," said Wheeler to the commissioners and other meeting attendees.
Those in Centre County interested in exploring how SEDA-COG can benefit their business may contact Betsy Lockwood at 570-524-4491 or by email, elockwood@seda-cog.org.
"We have one of the lower, if not the lowest, unemployment rates in our region and it's largely because of the efforts of all these businesses to keep employment strong, and the fact that you support them and provide them with the resources they need to be successful," said Commissioner Steven Dershem.