The Panther Valley Blueprint Community has selected the first participants for its inaugural Business Accelerator, with classes set to begin Sept. 14 at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center in Tamaqua.

The Business Accelerator is an initiative of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community designed to help existing small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses while contributing to the economic vitality of the Panther Valley.

Fifteen applications were received and the following eight entrepreneurs, and their businesses, were selected to participate:

• Kelli Holloman Gronsky — For His Kingdom Coffee, Nesquehoning.

• Stephen and Marianne Hall — No. 3 Café, Nesquehoning.

• Casey Hedash — Hedash Lawncare, Coaldale.

• Michele Midas — Midas Touch Hair Salon, Summit Hill.

• Heather O’Gurek — Heather’s Imprints, Summit Hill.

• Kimberly Olving — White Bear Baking Company, Summit Hill.

• James Rickert — Coaldale American Legion, Coaldale.

The educational/business coaching program, which includes seven instructional modules, is designed to provide local entrepreneurs and small businesses with the knowledge, tools and individualized support needed to strengthen their businesses and pursue future growth. The curriculum will cover key areas of business development, including entrepreneurship, market research, financial management, branding, operations and business growth. The participants will be provided with an educational program, alternating weekly between in person classes and remote coaching by LCCC adjunct instructor James Rommens and local business owner and coach Amber Finsel.

The program will culminate on Dec. 8 with a small business summit at the Summit Hill Community Center, located at 114 W. Ludlow St. in Summit Hill.

During the small business summit, each program participant will present their business plan to community leaders, business representatives and other members of the community. The event will also include the presentation of mini-grant awards by Panther Valley Blueprint Community leadership to qualifying program participants. Anyone from the area interested in business networking, learning about funding opportunities and other support services for present or future business owners are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

“The Business Accelerator represents an important step in the Panther Valley Blueprint Community’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the Panther Valley’s small-business community,” said John Dowling, chairperson of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community. “We are excited to work with this first cohort and look forward to seeing their businesses grow throughout the program and beyond.”

Dowling also noted that the Panther Valley Blueprint Community is already working to build on the success of the inaugural program. In partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley United Way, the organization has applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, through its Neighborhood Assistance Program, to secure funding to expand and grow the program next year.

Through this business accelerator program, the Panther Valley Blueprint Community is investing in something that cannot be measured simply in dollars and cents; the potential of local people to build successful businesses and create a stronger future for the entire community. These eight entrepreneurs represent the beginning of what the Blueprint Community hopes will become a growing network of locally owned businesses, new jobs and economic opportunities throughout the Panther Valley.

Using the initiative’s tagline, “Coal to Commerce,” the message is clear: The future of the Panther Valley will be built by the people who live, work and invest here.