Classroom on Main St. Comes to Danville

The 2019 Classroom on Main Street program visited Danville for this year’s program day.  This event is designed to provide high school students with an overview of entrepreneurial skills that will assist them in their future careers.  Students also learn at local small businesses, from the owners, about what it takes to succeed. 

The program was organized by The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce (The Foundation) as part of its annual Classroom in the Workplace series.  This year, The Foundation and the Danville Business Alliance collaborated to recruit businesses on Mill Street in Danville to educate students on what entrepreneurship means, and how that translates into running a small business.

Thanks to sponsorship from PPL Electric Utilities, 31 students and eight educators from six area high schools including Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, Danville and Southern Columbia participated in the program.  Students had the opportunity to learn through educational presentations from local businesses: Bason Coffee Roasting, Reflex Jiu Jitsu, D’s Clothier and Old Forge Brewing Company.  The high school students also heard from college students in the Bloomsburg University’s Zeigler Institute for Professional Development and the University’s Business Learning Community. 

According to the students the program “was a good way to get some exposure to what it’s like to be an entrepreneur” and “you learn some interesting information.”  According to one teacher, “The students heard from several professionals and it was a beneficial to them.  It was a great day for the students!”

The Foundation would like to thank the DBA for their partnership to make this event a success.  Also thanks to the participating Chamber and DBA member businesses and to PPL Electric Utilities for their sponsorship of the program.