ASHTABULA - Key (NYSE: KEY) today presented a $75,000 multiyear Key Foundation grant to the Civic Development Corporation of Ashtabula County (CDC) for ongoing support of CDC's efforts to spur economic development and enhance the quality of life in the region.

Key's active participation on the CDC board and service in CDC officer positions since the start of the organization's first capital campaign in 1959 continues to underscore the value of business involvement in funding tangible community projects addressing social, cultural, economic development, educational and recreational needs across Ashtabula County.

Ashtabula native, KeyBank Sales Manager MaryLou Howe, currently serves as CDC secretary. She and fellow native, KeyBank VP of Business Banking Joseph Varckette, both describe CDC as one of the most well run organizations with which they have ever been associated.

"Over the years, CDC has consistently and wisely leveraged thousands of dollars to generate millions in state and federal grants benefiting residents across our region," says Varckette, who served as Ashtabula city manager from 1991-1995. "The organization's commitment to excellence is evident through the economic, educational and human services agencies and organizations that, through CDC and broader community support, make Ashtabula County a great place to call home."

Varckette, who now oversees all of Key's Ashtabula County operations, manages civic and business activity with the input of KeyBank's new Ashtabula advisory board, which includes local civic and business leaders Stuart Cordell, partner, Warren and Young PLL; James Kanicki, president, Arthur Louis Steel Company; Donald Koski, president, Koski Construction Co.; Thomas Raffa, president, Thomas J. Raffa, D.D.S. Inc.; Richard Selip, president, Grand River Rubber & Plastics Company; and Richard Haines, who retired from Key after 40 years of service.

"Relationships with organizations like CDC, combined with the strategic guidance of our local natives, are beginning to make a difference in how Key serves this community," says Varckette. "We're steadily moving away from a Cleveland-centric mindset with a desire to be Ashtabula County's bank."

KeyBank grants to CDC capital campaigns have averaged $15,000 annually since 1985.CDC is currently at 60 percent of its five-year Campaign 2005 goal of $2.3 million. Current projects and their benefits to the region include:

Nonprofit Organization Center
Broaden community outreach and drive economic development by supporting the Ashtabula County Community Action Agency's partnership with the City of Ashtabula and the Ashtabula City Port Authority in acquiring and transforming a downtown Ashtabula building into a multi-tenant, non-profit organization center housing 10 or more organizations that employ more than 100 people in the heart of the city's revitalization efforts.
Education Initiative
Strengthen workforce development and ensure long-term economic success through the countywide delivery of educational programs, initiatives and training that equips school teachers and administrators to meet the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND standards.
Growth Partnership Economic Development Impact Fund
Initiate significant investment and job creation in Ashtabula County by assisting the Growth Partnership in leveraging grants, loans and investment dollars for local development projects.
Camp Whitewood Northeast Ohio 4-H Camps
Spur economic development through upgrades to this significant recreational destination by bringing wastewater treatments systems into compliance with federal EPA requirements.
Conneaut Community Center
Foster youth and adult arts development programs delivered at national historical site, Kilpi Hall, through interior renovations preserving one of the remaining architectural examples of Great Lakes Finnish immigration.
Ashtabula County Family Y
Enhance youth and family outreach through program expansions resulting from facilities remodeling and upgrades.
Ashtabula County Antique Engine Club
Spur economic development by preserving this growing tourist destination - an important part of American railroad history - through site upgrades and exhibit restorations.
Country Neighbor Program
Enhance community outreach involving job training, education, support group networks and food distribution through expansion and remodeling of the Orwell Country Neighbor facility, also used by the Department of Job and Family Services.
Cork Little League and Ashtabula County Parks
Enhance the Harpersfield community's Covered Bridge Metropolitan Park via construction of a regulation size Little League baseball field supporting 13 youth teams.
Western Reserve Greenway, (Rails to Trails), Ashtabula County Parks
Provide regional recreation and economic development through completion of a 27-mile cross-county bikeway.

Donations may be pledged to Campaign 2005 online at www.civicdevelopmentcorp.org

Civic Development Corporation of Ashtabula County
Established in 1959, Civic Development Corporation of Ashtabula County is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Ashtabula County through leadership addressing social, cultural, economic development, educational and recreational needs of the community. Strategic goals involving development programs, capital projects and initiatives are achieved through consolidated fund-raising efforts in collaboration with corporations, foundations, small businesses, employees and individuals to raise charitable capital dollars for tangible community projects. Throughout its existence, the organization has completed nine capital campaigns, partnered with 55 community agencies and organizations, and raised more than $15.5 million dollars ($22 million through matched funds) for 150 projects. Visit www.civicdevelopmentcorp.org for more information about Civic Development Corporation of Ashtabula County.

KeyBank in Ashtabula County
Under the leadership of Joseph Varckette, 100 KeyBank employees provide convenient access to superior financial services for Ashtabula County consumers and businesses through a network of six KeyCenters (branches); 9 ATMs; a reopened drive thru at Key's Ashtabula downtown location; telephone banking at 1-800-KEY2YOU; and online banking at www.key.com.

KeyCorp
Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $91 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally.

KeyBank

KeyBank

KeyCorp's roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $176.2 billion at March 31, 2021. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,100 branches and more than 1,400 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC. 

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