The Panther Valley may be one step closer to becoming a Blueprint Community.

On Wednesday, Nesquehoning Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani updated council on the status of the communities’ application. Last month, Summit Hill, Lansford, Nesquehoning and Coaldale joined together to apply to become a Blueprint Community.

This designation helps communities with revitalization, implementing initiatives and building a better tomorrow for their residents.

Guardiani said that the application was sent in by the Dec. 1 deadline, and officials were notified on Dec. 11 that application was selected for a community visit.

“The application scored as one of the top applicants, so it makes it very, very possible that we may be able to get this designation,” she said.

On Dec. 13, officials from the committee visited the four towns, ending at the Panther Valley Elementary School, which was hosting the monthly food pantry at the time.

“She saw the good. She saw the bad. She saw the needy and she saw every part that she could possibly see of the community, and I think this is really impactful,” Guardiani said, noting that communities that are selected will be notified the first week of February.

The Blueprint Community is part of an initiative through FHLBank Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and an advisory team.

It is open to municipalities with populations fewer than 30,000 and provides them with resources that may not otherwise be available.

If successful, Guardiani said that there is an 18-month training program for the committee that is selected. She will not be a council member at that time, but said she plans to be involved as much as she can.