Over the past several years, the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) has worked to bring quality educational programs to the communities we serve in: Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, and Beaver Counties. Through the Department of Community and Economic Development, PIC has been designated as an Educational Improvement Organization. PIC ’s participation in the EITC program continues to support and evolve to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
“The EITC Tax Program is a great way for businesses to support innovative education programs for hundreds of area youth,” says Janie Leck-Grela, the Grant Writer for PIC. “When businesses show their support for the Private Industry Council contributing to the EITC Tax Program, it allows PIC to develop programs and school partnerships that benefit youth in kindergarten through high school.”
After school and summer programming offerings at Ligonier Valley, Monessen, New Brighton Area, and Aliquippa School Districts (Beaver County) are provided through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program. These programs provide important academic remediation and tutoring as well as a safe, nurturing environment to students in grades K-12. Another new and exciting program has been the development of STEM Lodge classrooms in regional school districts including Connellsville School District (Fayette County) and the PA Smart’s STEM Lab in Aliquippa School District (Beaver County). The Private Industry Council has developed, equipped, and sustained STEM Labs and would like to expand and continue this program. PIC is a vital partner to support workforce development including youth career exploration projects including career pathways and financial literacy education, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.
All of these goals and supports for student are supported, in part, by local business. Local businesses can donate to PIC and will receive a tax credit equal to 75 percent of its contribution, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. This tax credit can be increased to 90 percent of the contribution, if the business agrees to provide the same amount for two consecutive tax years. This valuable program provides tax credits for business and support for the Private Industry Council’s youth education programs. If your business is curious about how to participate in the EITC Tax Program, you can call PIC at 724-836-2600 X 235 You can also find more information at the DCED website, www.dced.pa.gov.
The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, that operates employment, education, and training programs in southwestern Pennsylvania.
