Leaders of the Hometown Bank of PA, the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation and Allegany College of Maryland gathered at the ACM Bedford County Campus to celebrate the bank’s $125,000 donation to the foundation. Shown are (from left): seated –– Jeb Kegg, Hometown Bank of PA chief financial officer; Beth Manges, Hometown Bank president/CEO and Bedford County Regional Education Foundation vice chair; Merle Helsel, Hometown Bank board member; Leah Pepple, ACM director of PA advancement and community relations; Todd Roadman, Hometown Bank board member; and Mark Kelly, Hometown Bank board member; standing –– Dr. Kurt Hoffman, ACM senior vice president of instructional and student affairs; Tina Imes, ACM Bedford County Campus and student services director; Kirt Morris, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation treasurer; Alyssa Foor, ACM Foundation and community relations assistant; Todd Beatty, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Larry Williams, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Ralph Scott, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Garry Goss, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Cheryl McInroy, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Commissioner Deb Baughman, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation board member; Lynn Ashe, Bedford County Regional Education Foundation secretary; Jim Gonsman, Hometown Bank chief lending officer; and Bill Bratton, Hometown Bank board member. Courtesy photo

EVERETT — The Hometown Bank of PA presented a $125,000 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) donation to the Bedford County Regional Education Foundation last fall.

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 128% in four years.

In the 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, 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.