Original Article
The Hometown Bank of PA recently presented a $125,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) donation to the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation. The donation dramatically increased the Foundation’s early college funding support for Allegany College of Maryland’s Spring 2025 semester when combined with EITC contributions from ECM Insurance Group and other local businesses.
Residents are no longer limited to taking six credits during the Spring 2025 semester. The Bedford County Regional Education Foundation will now fully cover tuition, fees, and books for credits taken this spring by early college students who live in any of the Bedford County and Fulton County school districts as well as the Claysburg-Kimmel, Spring Cove, Williamsburg and Fannett-Metal School Districts. These residents may take any number of early college courses offered by Allegany College of Maryland at the ACM Bedford County Campus, in their high schools, or online this spring semester.
The early college program offered through Allegany College of Maryland in the counties and school districts surrounding the ACM Bedford County Campus has grown a whopping 128% in four years. This fall, 392 residents enrolled in early college classes. As more residents enroll, the number of credits attempted by students has increased from 747 credits in fall 2020 to 1,710 credits in fall 2024.
“Hometown Bank is pleased to support educational programs through the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation that can directly impact the education and futures of students,” said Beth Manges, president and CEO of Hometown Bank of PA. “I and several of our employees attended ACM and received an excellent education. We hope our donation will enrich the lives of individuals as they pursue their career goals through education.” Manges is also the vice chair of the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation.
“I am grateful to Hometown Bank of PA for their financial investment that will open the doors of education for high school students in our area. It warms my heart to know that every high school student who is academically ready for college-level coursework can take advantage of this educational opportunity,” Leah Pepple, director of PA advancement and community relations.
“The generosity of Hometown Bank and other EITC donors has erased the financial burden, and lives are forever changed due to their amazing support.”
For more information about early college offerings at ACM Bedford County Campus, please call Tina Kravets, a college and career coach at the ACM Bedford County Campus, at 814-652-9528 ext. 6202 or email tkravets@allegany.edu. Those interested in learning more about the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation may reach Pepple by calling 814-652-9528 ext. 6223 or emailing lpepple@allegany.edu.
