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GM Foundation gives to five local organizations
By Kalea Hall
LORDSTOWN
Mark Pervine, assistant plant manager at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Plant Complex, explained why Friday the 13th was a great day.
It’s the day $110,000 in grant funding from the General Motors Foundation was awarded to five local organizations.
“We are indebted to the community,” Pervine said. “To me it’s an outstanding feeling.”
The funds given out at the seventh annual Community Appreciation Day will make an impact in a variety of ways, including improving the Mahoning Valley’s education efforts.
Since 1976, the General Motors Foundation has donated nearly $1 billion to U.S. charities, educational organizations and disaster relief efforts worldwide.
Locally, the $20,000 going to the Youngstown State University Foundation will be used for the Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization Center, which will be located on Commerce Street near Fifth Avenue. The grant will be matched by the state, said Paul McFadden, YSU Foundation president.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2017 Assistance to Coal Communities initiative awarded $2 million to the same project.
The vision is for the center to be the place where high-school and college students, entrepreneurs, engineers, machinists and welders can interact.
Inspiring Minds, which offers after-school and summer programs in Warren and Youngstown, also received $20,000.
“We are going to use it toward drone technology and aerospace and 3-D printing equipment and programming,” said Deryck Toles, CEO of Inspiring Minds. “Most of the kids we serve don’t get an opportunity to experience technology. Grants like these and community supporters allows access to our kids.”
The Regional Chamber Foundation also received $20,000 to support regional workforce opportunities and development.
The United Way locations in Mahoning and Trumbull counties will receive $50,000 combined.
“It will be used for early literacy and maintaining our partnerships with partner agencies,” said Ginny Pasha, president and CEO of the United Way of Trumbull County. “It allows us to continue to do the good work we are doing.”