WeHa Council Expands Biz Tax Credit Program For Nonprofit Benefactors

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Several community projects in West Hartford are now eligible for tax-exempt donations following a recent town council decision.

The West Hartford Town Council unanimously voted 6-0 June 13 to approve several new programs to be incorporated into the local Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program.

West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith wrote to council members that the NAA aims to encourage public/business investments in community organizations and projects.

Each year, the town seeks eligible projects from local nonprofits and submits them to the state Department of Revenue Services to be included in the program.

Basically, the NAA tax credit program means if a busines donates to a community group or project, they are then eligible for state business tax exemptions based on what is donated.

In essence, if a business donates to an eligible project, it will save on their state business taxes.

"This is a great way for our community to contribute to nonprofits and help them in ways that that they identify that they need help," West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said prior to the unanimous voice vote.

A total of 14 different projects from eight different West Hartford-based nonprofits were added to the eligible list.

Organizations/projects added were:

• Montessori School of Greater Hartford, 141 N. Main St., window replacement project.

• The Bridge Family Center, 1022 Farmington Ave., the family resource center and youth shelter.

•The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, replacement of H-Vac units.

• The New England Jewish Academy, 300 Bloomfield Ave., campus work.

• Mandell Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave., energy conservation program.

• Playhouse Theatre Group, 244 Park Road, energy efficient lighting.

• Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloofield Ave., Suite A, mental health support and its food pantry.

• University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., hot water upgrades in dormitories and other facility maintenance work in other dorms.

For the information packet and minutes of the June 13 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.