There is still time for current businesses within Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale and Nesquehoning to apply for the Panther Valley Blueprint Community’s PV Business Accelerator program that will take place beginning in September.

Amber Finsel, a local business owner and business coach, along with Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, and the Panther Valley Blueprint Community are piloting this initiative that is designed to foster long-term economic growth, sustainability and innovation for businesses throughout the Panther Valley.

“I’ve been working with the Panther Valley Blueprint Community to help develop a program to help local business owners grow their businesses in whatever way they find most helpful and appropriate,” Finsel said. “What we need now is local business owners in the Panther Valley to learn about the program and hopefully recommend somebody that they know that will be a good fit for this. We want business owners who are looking to grow, who have already launched something at least part time, whether it be based in their home and they are looking to grow that or a brick and mortar site. We want to support them. They put in the hard work and we’d like to help them grow it through mentorship, education and funding.”

The program offers a structured blend of business education, personalized mentorship and financial support, as well as networking opportunities and a $1,000 grant for those who complete the course to use as seed funding for their businesses.

It includes biweekly in-person classes at LCCC’s Morgan campus in Tamaqua, taught by business administration instructor Jim Rommens. The courses will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays from Sept. 14 through Dec. 7.

On off weeks, Finsel will be available to help participants with one-on-one coaching sessions to put their education into their business practice.

There will also be opportunities for participants to connect with local business owners, regional funders, and community influencers.

“Business owners will have the opportunity to set a goal for growth, check in and tune up their operations, make invaluable connections in the community, and walk away with their self-authored guide to achieving their goals,” Finsel said. “This is perfect for anyone looking to grow and strengthen a business based in the Panther Valley — whether that’s building a sustainable cash flow model, hiring staff for the first time, or applying for a loan to purchase equipment or a building.”

The business accelerator opportunity goal is to have approximately 15 to 20 established business owners in the Panther Valley or looking to expand into the Panther Valley take part this first round, Abbie Guardiani, spokeswoman for the Blueprint Community, said.

“Two years ago, we decided we wanted to start working on this because there are a lot of folks in the area that may have little shops, whether it is in their home or a little brick and mortar store, and they’re thinking ‘How can I expand? How can I make this bigger and better?’ and so part of this program is us being able to say ‘We think you can but you may need some help in doing that.’ ”

The funding for the program is through grant money the blueprint community secured.

“Our mission is to invest in the future of the communities in this region, and we can’t do that without business owners who are ready to do the same,” John Dowling, chairman of PV Blueprint Community, said in a recent release. “The Accelerator provides the exact network and resources needed to turn local entrepreneurial drive into long-term economic stability.”

Guardiani stressed that there is still time to sign up, noting that the deadline to apply is July 15. Those accepted into the program will be notified by Aug. 15.

To apply, businesses should visit bit.ly/PVblueprint to fill out the application.

For additional information and questions, email contact@PVBlueprint.org.