Northwest Savings Bank Presents Check

Recently Northwest Savings Bank presented a $40,000 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 these innovative programs 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. During 2012 the Elk County Community Foundation spent $26,300 through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program . St. Marys, Johnsonburg and Ridgway Area School Districts were able to apply for grants for programming. These grants impacted nearly 3,500 students throughout the county.

At St. Marys Area School District their goal is to continue to infuse 21st century technology into the classrooms for teacher and student access. They added two interactive whiteboards for the Middle school along with two laptop and three ipads. The interactive white board will enable the teachers and students to maximize the on-line resources.

The Johnsonburg Area School District has used the grant money to replace equipment in the area of technology which will benefit our teachers and students with 15 HP probook laptop computers with Windows 7 for their Middle School classes.

The Ridgway Area School District has used the grant money to purchase an IPad mobile lab containing 20 Ipads. Digital Streaming and applications can be accessed to enhance individual learning.

Any entity authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and subject to certain taxes is eligible to apply. Tax Credits are limited to 75% of the businesses contribution with a maximum of $100,000annually. If a business agrees to make the same contribution for two consecutive tax years, it may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of its contribution.

If businesses wish to participate, they 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.

Pictures are in Front(left to right): Don Valone, Foundation Board President and Kevin Oknefski, SVP, District manager from Northwest Savings Bank(NWS)

In back(left to right) Linda Decker, NWS Branch Manager; Paula Fritz Eddy, Foundation Executive Director; Lori Nussbaum; NWS Administrative Support; Barbie Cummings NWS Trust Officer