The Panther Valley Blueprint Community adopted a logo for its latest venture, a business incubator program designed to support emerging entrepreneurs and existing small businesses.

The logo for the Panther Valley Business Accelerator Program Coal to Commerce was designed by Leah Knappenberger, a Carbon Career and Technical Institute student.

Knappenberger’s design — featuring the iconic Panther Valley mountains, a rising sun, and an upward growth arrow — symbolizes the region’s transition from its coal heritage to a future driven by entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth.

“This logo tells our story,” Abbie Guardiani, spokesperson for the PV Blueprint team, said. “It reflects where we’ve been and where we’re going. Leah captured that vision in a way that will represent this initiative for years to come.”

Coal to Commerce

The program will provide hands-on educational workshops with a curriculum created in partnership with Lehigh Carbon Community College and instructor James Rommens that focuses on business development.

The program will use a hybrid format combining online learning with in-person collaboration and one-on-one professional coaching by Amber Finsel, a local business coach and Jim Thorpe business owner.

In addition to the strong connections to local and regional resources, participants have the potential to gain seed money for their business at the end of the program.

Participants will be selected through an application process and guided through onboarding, targeted coursework, and coaching to strengthen their businesses and build lasting community connections.

The program launches this month and those interested should watch for an application link to be posted on our Panther Valley Blueprint Community Facebook Page and our PVBlueprint.org website.

Participants will be selected in June and July, and onboarding and goal setting will begin in August. The online and in-person classroom instruction and individual coaching session run from September through early December.

Student success

The logo project highlights the valuable partnership between the Panther Valley Blueprint initiative and CCTI.

Students were invited to contribute to a real-world community development effort and gained hands-on experience while shaping the identity of a major regional program.

Knappenberger was recognized for her winning design and awarded a $100 prize funded through the initiative.

Future vision

The Coal to Commerce initiative represents a broader commitment to revitalizing the Panther Valley economy — supporting local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and building a strong foundation for future growth.

By combining education, mentorship, and financial support, the Business Accelerator aims to transform local ideas into thriving businesses, creating a new chapter for the Valley.