A Brief History

Since incorporating in 1997, the South Central Assembly (formerly South Central Assembly for Effective Governance) has created a variety of public forums. These have encouraged discussions that have led to action on matters of good governance. Topics have ranged from health and human services to land use and growth management and from transportation to police services. Throughout, we have come to appreciate more fully the diverse communities of the region, its interconnected nature, and the common, persistent challenges that influence it. Too often, we view issues through limited perspectives when a holistic approach is needed.

The Assembly focuses on the broad scope of regional quality-of-life issues in south central Pennsylvania. We offer a venue for like-minded individuals to collaborate for the public good. The services we offer include conferences, research, advocacy, and training on pressing issues facing our communities individually and the region as a whole. This is a look back on a decade and a half history of action supporting the Assembly's regional planning orientation: 

The inaugural 1997 Summit, A Region at Risk, focused on land use, growth management, and transportation concerns. These themes continue to be among the core of persistent regional issues that have engaged the Assembly over the years. As a result of our work, we have:

• Presented regional workshops on downtown marketing in conjunction with our report on regional downtown retail.
  
• Focused regional investment and renewal efforts through the KOZ program in conjunction with each participating county chamber and the EDA.
  
• Administered the Keystone Opportunity Zone program for 14 municipalities in four counties, before turning that task over to CREDC
  
• Organized a special Chesapeake Bay Tributary Task Force to advise on matters of equity regarding implementation of state and federal policy initiatives for the Bay
  
• Hosted several agriculture seminars looking at new products and new production methods, new markets and ways to enhance farmers markets
  
• Presented testimony relating to land-use planning, agricultural land preservation, and integration of land use and transportation planning at regional forums provided by DCED       
  
• Presented testimony and recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Advisory Committee on its 12-year plan, continuing to recommend closer linkages between land use and transportation planning 
  
• Collaborated with the American Farmland Trust (AFT) to conduct a Cost of Community Services with case stidies of two York County townships
  
• Produced a report on Regional Policing and presented several educational events on the theme
  
• Presented testimony and recommendations to the Department of Health on the State Health Improvement Plan
  
• Contributed regional leadership to the Department of Environmental Protection Ozone Action Stakeholders by serving as spokespersons and facilitating a series of public participation events on the topic
  
• Organized an Avian Flu Pandemic conference.
  
• Held History, Heritage, and Culture workshops
  
• Conducted continuing-education workshops on code enforcement, planning and zoning
  
• Developed a white paper on housing in the region and presented a housing expo
  
• Produced a regional predatory lending report, a regional predatory lending conference, and numerous workshops on the subject
  
• Developed housing needs assessments for Adams and Perry counties
  
• Performed the role of regional training and professional-education facilitator
  

Ten years after incorporating as The South Central Assembly for Effective Governance (SCAFEG), the Board of Directors decided to shorten the name to South Central Assembly.  In part, this was to simplify things. It also addressed the concern expressed by many that the Assembly promoted municipal consolidations. While certainly one option, the collaboration of individuals that is the Assembly can
only investigate options for better structures, which include well vetted practices from across the Commonwealth. In particular, it has liked to highlight creative local practices that municipalities might want to embrace for being more effective stewards of the public trust. In addition, the growing interest in the nongovernmental sector suggested that the name change would be more representative. The core mission to create venues to address issues of regional concern, however, remains unchanged.

More recently, in support of its mission, the Assembly: 

• Hosted a regional issues summit to address what will it take for all sectors of our region to prosper again
  
• Developed a Strategic Plan to provide direction for Assembly initiatives 
  
• Worked with South Central Team PA to transfer the KOZ Program
• Orgnized "Food for Thought" workshops to provide affordable quality training for local governments 
• Hosted  a series of energy workshops to create a forum for exchanging ideas and challenges 
• Hosted a series of health insurance workshops through the Central Pennsylvania Health Insurance Trust (CPHIT) 
• Provided support for our regional partners at 

          10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania          
          American Public Works Association (APWA)
          Modern Transit Partnership (MTA)
          Penn Future    
          Penn State Harrisburg
          Hosted a 15th Anniversary Beyond the Great Recession Summit

Moving Ahead

As with many other nonprofit organizations, the Great Recession set the Assembly back. Its sources of funding dried up and alternatives, which supported the Assembly’s mission and that had shown promise, did not pan out. Still, the Assembly’s mission to offer a regional venue and the resolve of a core of individuals has kept the Assembly active. Building off the 2012 Summit, new energy and resolve are engaged. Three program committees - Community Revitalization, Housing & Community Development, and Local Government - are developing their focuses. The Board of Directors looks forward to learning about the directions they are led to pursue.

Until committees develop structures and regular meeting dates, please express your interest by contacting the Assembly Coordinator, Stephen Scanlon at slscanlon@gmail.com. He will put you in touch with the person(s) best suited to engage your interest. Committee membership is earned through engagement. Interested persons should participate and through that practice become engaged. While it is encouraged, Assembly membership is not required. Feel free to grow engaged in an activity first.