BASICS

The ability of our businesses to prosper and our economic health to remain strong lies in a stable, skilled workforce. The Chamber is addressing workforce development needs through BASICS, a program developed to be a partnership between businesses and education that promotes career advancement for our local talent. The emphasis is to retain graduates in our geographic areas as adult residents of our communities. The goal is to educate the community to increase awareness of what career opportunities exist in the county before making education and training decisions.

The Bedford County Chamber Foundation is a 501©3 non profit organization. It was organized on August 1, 2000 to establish a scholarship fund for employees of local businesses and community organization to further their professional development and community leadership, including, but not limited to Leadership Bedford County. The Foundation was also created to fund community efforts such as planning, development, and educational projects, which will directly stimulate economic development in areas within rural Bedford County.

Although originally formed mainly to support Leadership Bedford County efforts, the educational projects component took on much more significance with the implementation of BASICS.

BASICS originated in Blair County and, with their help, both financially and organizationally, it was established in Bedford County in early 2001. The mission of BASICS is to create a partnership between business and education that promotes career advancement for our local talent. The emphasis is to retain graduates in our geographic area as adult residents of our community. The goal is to educate the community to increase awareness of what career opportunities exist in the county before making education and training decisions.

With the implementation of BASICS came the ability to apply to be a Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Organization. That was accomplished in February 2002. Corporations could now make contributions to the Foundation and receive Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC). Eighty percent (80%) of EITC funds must be used for "innovative educational programs" that are advanced academic or similar program that is not part of the regular academic program of a public school but that enhances the curriculum or academic program of the public school.

BASICS offers a number of programs for students in all school districts in Bedford County including: Ground Hog Job Shadow Day, Career Camp, Steps to Success, 9th Grade Health Careers Day and Scholastic Quiz Day. The Foundation, through EITC funds, has been able to support many of these programs. In addition to those listed above, the Foundation has also funded the creation of a BASICS web site, in the past has helped the school districts purchase Day Planners for their students, and has established an "Educator in the Workplace" and program.