[Bradford, PA] – The Bradford Area Alliance’s Entrepreneur Leadership Mission (ELM) Business Accelerator program is now accepting applications for its 2025-26 program. The ELM Business Accelerator program aims to help existing business owners realize increased business and life success.

The program includes a 2-day Business Owner Renewal Retreat at Beaver Hollow Conference Center. This event kicks off the 9-month journey where participants will be paired with a mentor, benefit from subject matter expertise on key topics, and formulate strategic plans to pursue new opportunities or overcome specific business challenges.

The program is designed to bring about lasting change for entrepreneurs of existing businesses in McKean County. The cohort convenes two times per month from September 2025 to May 2026 on Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (excluding December).

Last year, the program graduated 9 business owner participants. Individual participants experienced 157% increase in monthly sales, 11% increase in owners’ wealth, and 3 new jobs created (and counting).

Carolyn Boser Newhouse, Executive Director of the Bradford Area Alliance commented “Our participants achieved real improvements in their bottom line and drove measurable change in their business. The participants learned from fellow owners and experts, obtained honest feedback and heard new ideas, were no longer isolated in facing real business challenges, and made lasting friendships.

Danielle Brinsky, President of Allegheny Industrial Insulation Company and ELM Graduate, stated, “The ELM Accelerator Program provided me with the knowledge, resources, and support to elevate my business by increasing revenues and profitability.”

Applications are open to any business located in McKean County. To apply visit www.bradfordareaalliance.com/elm-accelerator, scroll to the bottom, and fill out the form. Grant funding may be available.  If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, then please contact Christian Smith at Christian@BradfordAreaAlliance.com.

About the Alliance

The Bradford Area Alliance is a 17-member non-profit organization led by a board of CEOs, presidents, and community leaders, in business, education, healthcare, industry, and finance. The Alliance is focused on economic revitalization in the Bradford, Pennsylvania (McKean County) area.  The Alliance concentrates on strategic solutions that increase the economic viability and resilience of the Bradford, PA community and surrounding areas through collective impact. The Alliance was created as and remains a non-partisan, non-political organization.