Juniata/Mifflin Counties - proposed redistricting
SEDA-Council of Governments serves as a community and economic development agency for 11 counties in Central Pennsylvania. Juniata and Mifflin Counties are two of the counties that our agency serves. SEDA-COG recognizes the importance of keeping Juniata and Mifflin Counties within its own legislative district because they often seek joint legislative support for the work that the counties collectively do to support the residents of both counties. One recent example is the wireless broadband project which received Keystone Communities funding to provide broadband to underserved areas in both counties. SEDA-COG worked with both counties and Representatives Benninghoff, Hershey, and Irvin as well as Senator Corman to secure this funding. Separating these counties into individual legislative districts could jeopardize regionalization of projects, including receiving grant funding. The area is often referred to the Juniata Valley and the two counties have a long history of sharing services together, including those that serve the tourism industry, social services such as the United Way, and health & human services. It would be a detriment to the Juniata Valley to separate these two counties into separate legislative districts as they have a history of collaboration on seeking funding and providing services to the residents of Juniata and Mifflin Counties.