WARREN — Northwest Savings Bank recently donated $5,000 to Lifesteps through the 2012 Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program under the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

“We know how important pre-kindergarten education is to children in our community,” said Ben Jamieson, senior vice president of Northwest Savings Bank. “We’re pleased to be able to support Lifesteps and the families in our community.”

The Pre-K EITC enables businesses to receive tax credit when a donation is made to a qualified scholarship organization.

2 businesses get pollution grants

Two Butler County businesses have been awarded grants for energy efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

Hutchinson Dry Cleaners will receive $9,500 for the installation of a new boiler, and the Warren C. Sauers Co., is getting $4,350 for the installation of an auxiliary power unit, which will heat and cool a sleeper truck cab without the truck idling, both from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

These grants are part of more than $418,000 given to 56 small businesses across the state.

The state Small Business Advantage Grant program, funded through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, helps businesses with 100 or fewer employees, providing 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25 percent annually in pollution prevention or energy-related costs.

Since 2004, the program has invested $6.6 million in 1,642 small businesses statewide.

Nordstrom’s 3Q profit rises 15%

NEW YORK — Nordstrom reported a 15 percent increase in third-quarter net income, fueled by strong demand for men’s shoes, men’s clothing and children’s fashions.

But the upscale retailer’s profit results missed Wall Street estimates, as the company invested more money in enhancing its rewards program for shoppers. Investors pushed down shares by 3 percent in after-hour trading, extending the decline in regular trading. The company released its results after regular trading closed Thursday.

Disney’s 3Q profit meets expectationsLOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday that its net income in the latest quarter rose 14 percent thanks to an uptick in revenue driven by higher consumer spending at its theme parks and on its cruise ships.The results for the quarter through September were in line with analyst expectations. But some concerns about the advertising environment emerged.For the current quarter, the close presidential election was expected to have cut into audiences for Disney’s flagship sports network, and Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo said ad sales at ESPN are down so far compared to a year ago.

BOTTOM LINEHarsco Metals & Minerals recently hosted a visit from a Chinese agricultural scientist, who visited various Western Pennsylvania farms to see the use of Harsco’s AgrowSil, a silicon-based agricultural fertilizer made at the company’s Sarver plant.Personnel fileGov. Tom Corbett has appointed these three people to the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission: Dave Spigelmyer of Cranberry Township and Michael Plazony and Kenneth Scott Roy, both of Wexford.