GE vows to donate $50 million – half for Boston schools

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2016/04/04/ge-vows-to-donate-50-million-half-for-boston-schools/

BOSTON – Corporate giant General Electric on Monday said a related foundation will donate $50 million to Boston-area causes over the next five years, including $25 million for Boston Public Schools.

That money is intended to reach every Boston high school student through computer science courses and “GE Brilliant Career Labs,” which will give students hands-on experience with advanced manufacturing technology and software, the company said in a statement before a news briefing about details of its planned move to the city from Fairfield, Connecticut.

Additionally, GE has committed $15 million to provide technology and leadership skills training to health-care workers at 22 Boston area community health centers, with a focus on “underserved communities.” The money will come from the GE Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm.

The remaining $10 million is dedicated to “building a diverse workforce population” through training and access to manufacturing labs for underserved populations outside the Boston metro area, GE said.

“Together GE and Boston will lead the digital transformation of industry. To build a global digital company and community, we must invest to further educate our children in science and math and improve health care in underserved communities,” Jeff Immelt, the company’s chief executive, said in the statement. “GE’s investments will create thousands of new jobs and support Boston’s regional and economic activities.”

Immelt was scheduled to be joined at the 4:30 p.m. Monday briefing by Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

Baker and Walsh together offered GE incentives to move worth more than $145 million, including $120 million from the state in grants and other programs and up to $25 million over 20 years in city property tax relief.

Written by Colin A. Young