First Commonwealth presents check to Elk County Community Foundation

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Recently First Commonwealth Bank presented a check to the Elk County Community Foundation. These funds will be included in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) which then will make grants available to area public schools to support innovative educational programs that do not fall within the typical academic program.

The funds for the technology are administered and distributed through the foundation, which has been designated to serve as an Educational Improvement Organization by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. In 2007, through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program and the Elk County Community Foundation, St. Marys, Johnsonburg and Ridgway Area School Districts were able to apply for grants for programming. All three districts used the funds to enhance their digital streaming video resources for daily instruction and remediation of students. The digital streaming video presents an innovative way to bring quality, up to date learning tools to rural Pennsylvania classrooms.

Ridgway Area School District installed a dedicated server for the digital streaming clips, while Johnsonburg Area School District purchased new equipment for the Elementary School that includes a Smart Board for the 5th grade classes. St. Marys Area School District continues to grow the number of units available for classrooms with some special attention given to the Middle and Elementary Schools.
Any entity authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and subject to certain taxes is eligible to apply. Tax credits are limited to 75 percent of the business’ contribution with a maximum of $100,000 annually. If a business agrees to make the same contribution for two consecutive years, it may receive tax credit equal to 90 percent of its contribution.

Interested participants must submit a brief application to the DCED. The application can be found at www.inventpa.com. The foundation also has applications and further information available to assist with the business application process.