Businesses impacted by Key Bridge collapse to graduate from CCBC accelerator program

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As the Community College of Baltimore County concludes its business accelerator program, 10 Dundalk-area businesses adversely affected by the Key Bridge collapse are set to graduate from the program Nov. 10, school officials announced.

Designed to strengthen companies negatively impacted by after the bridge collapse, the program funded participating businesses with a combined $95,000 from the PNC Foundation. The 10 small businesses are celebrating with a graduation ceremony scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in CCBC Dundalk’s Career Building, Room 204.

Through the school’s PNC Small Business Accelerator program, it provided education, resources and coaching support to assist struggling businesses – all of whom received a $3,000 grant toward improving operations, marketing and sales, according to a release.

The eight-week, in-person, cohort-based program included one-on-one business coaching, staffing support, networking and resources to help business owners establish a growth plan, CCBC officials said. 

Baltimore’s Key Bridge destroyed: Everything you need to know

The accelerator also featured workshops on strategic planning, funding options, sales and marketing, business planning and finance. 

Through collaboration with the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Corporation and other organizations, CCBC reached small businesses to assess challenges and determine the most suitable resources, school officials highlighted. 

Additional resources offered in the accelerator included instruction on innovative techniques to strengthen companies; a public narrative program for high-impact marketing and communications outreach; networking sessions that brought business owners together with community members; and a community economic development class.