Three local businesses have made contributions to local schools to promote STEM programs.

Baglier Buick GMC Mazda and NexTier Bank each gave $5,000 to the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation for science, technology, engineering, art and math programs in the Butler School District.

Farmers National Bank donated $4,000 to the Seneca Valley Foundation to benefit science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes at Seneca Valley.

Butler Superintendent Brian White thanked the two companies for their donations, according to a news posting by the school district, and said they would help keep students working with modern technology in classrooms.

The donations were made through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program.

A statewide program, EITC enables businesses to make donations to organizations they choose from a state-approved list.

EITC is a statewide initiative enacted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in 2001 and enables eligible businesses to apply credits against their tax liability for the tax year in which they make a contribution to support education in Pennsylvania.

Farmers National Bank has participated in this program since its inception.

“We look forward to continuing our support of such local scholarship funds and charities in our service areas under this tax credit and other charitable contribution programs,” said William C. Marsh, Farmer’s National Bank of Emlenton president, CEO and board chairman.