Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins was recently elected 2023 president of the board of directors for SEDA-Council of Governments, the regional economic and community development district covering 11 counties in east-central Pennsylvania
Higgins served as first vice president of the board in 2022.
“Serving as board president for 2023, I look forward to continued service with our dedicated board of directors and our professional staff,” Higgins said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to administer existing programs and identify new opportunities to encourage and support long-term economic growth through our local small business community. These efforts serve to strengthen the quality of life throughout our 11-county SEDA-COG region.”
The board is a 22-member, county-based policy board representing public and private sectors. SEDA-COG’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses through partnerships and initiatives and to advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels.
With more than 70 direct staff and 100 employees in related authorities and contractor organizations, SEDA-COG helps generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity annually, Higgins said. He added that in the first half of 2022, 19 Centre County businesses assisted by SEDA-COG reported $65,225,761 in new export sales to 61 countries.
The other board officers elected for 2023 are Lycoming County Commissioner Scott Metzger, first vice president; Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz, second vice president; Larry Reisinger of Perry County, secretary; and Dennis Van Benthuysen of Snyder County, treasurer.
