Representatives of Ashland Inc (NYSE:ASH) and The Ashland Inc. Foundation announced a contribution of $5,000 today to Junior Achievement of Greater Cincinnati (J. A.), earmarking the contribution to support economic education courses at Sixth District Elementary School in Covington, Ky. Ashland Inc. and Sixth District Elementary School are partners in the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's Business Education Success Team (B.E.S.T) program for a second consecutive year.

"The Ashland Inc. Foundation has a long history of supporting education on many levels,” said M. Christine Yaudas, manager, community relations for Ashland Inc. “In this instance, we are especially pleased to focus on economic education, and make it readily available to even the youngest child at the school."

“We are convinced that economic education is vital in our schools,” Yaudas continued. “Junior Achievement programs are one way to make learning about economics both fun and applicable to our children's daily lives.”

The event was held in the school's auditorium. Students who already have participated in Junior Achievement classes at Sixth District shared what they have learned from the J. A. experience. Dr. Tony Ross, principal of Sixth District Elementary School, Assistant Principal Toni Culbreth, and J. A. President Carolyn McDole also were in attendance along with several other business representatives who were volunteer J. A. teachers. The Junior Achievement program at Sixth District is coordinated by Ms. Sally Mills, a fifth grade teacher.

"Ashland continues to support programs, such as Junior Achievement, and B.E.S.T. partnerships like ours with Sixth District because of the benefits to both the school and our employees. These are the kinds of programs in which other companies, both large and small, can easily participate. We encourage them to get involved with the schools in their local communities, and find out how rewarding it can be,” Yaudas concluded.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE:ASH) is a Fortune 250 company providing products, services, and customer solutions throughout the world. Our businesses include road construction, specialty chemicals, lubricants, car-care products, chemical and plastics distribution and transportation fuels. Through the dedication of our employees, we are "The Who In How Things Work™". Find us at www.ashland.com.

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