Loyalsock Foundation has been approved for an additional $37,000 in corporate donations through the second round of the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) 2024-2025 Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program.

According to a news release, in mid-January, Rick Siger, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, officially announced Governor Shapiro’s approval of a total of $34.3 million in support of 218 community revitalization projects throughout the Commonwealth.

Loyalsock Foundation will use its approved funds for Phase 2 of the permanent driveway/access road project for The Summit: Center for Wellness, located in Laporte Township, Sullivan County. The permanent driveway will allow construction vehicles and workers to access the property and facilitate building the main indoor wellness facility, the treehouse community space, and the outdoor amphitheater.

The permanent driveway will also provide additional parking and accessibility for more community outreach events, the news release said. This project is critical in advancing Loyalsock Foundation’s vision of building The Summit: Center for Wellness and providing recreation opportunities for the community.

During the first round of the DCED Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program, 19 corporations made a total of $334,500 in commitments to Loyalsock Foundation’s driveway project. In return, the donating corporations received a 90% tax credit against PA state taxes, which resulted in these businesses receiving a combined total of $301,500 in PA tax credits. NAP funding was doubled in Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 state budget from $36 million to $72 million, allowing for the opening of a second round of applications from Sept. 9 through Oct. 25, 2024. Four additional businesses committed to the driveway project during this second round and will also receive a 90% tax credit.

“Loyalsock Foundation recognizes and is grateful for the support of: Leighow Oil Co., Inc.; B&K Equipment, LLC; Erika Mabus, OD; and T-Nevin-T Holdings, LLC.,” the news release said. “These businesses are advancing the mission of bringing a wellness center to rural Sullivan County and are investing in their local community through charitable giving.”

This marks the fourth year in a row in which Loyalsock Foundation has successfully been approved through DCED’s tax credit program, receiving an overall total of $972,500 in corporate donations. The Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program will be opening for 2025-26 applications very soon. Business owners interested in learning more about receiving tax credits while simultaneously directing tax dollars to benefit the local community can contact Loyalsock Foundation at info@loyalsockfoundation.org, the news release said.