Grassroots efforts have always been a part of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Over the last 100 years or so, that’s been especially true as the region has transitioned from an anthracite coal based economy to an industrial economy to today’s version that’s predominantly service related.

From mining to manufacturing, the creativity and vision of countless people have shaped the evolution and the future of our region.

That was especially true in the mid-1950s and early ‘60s as regional leaders attempted to figure a way forward from the decline of anthracite and the beginning of the end of the textile factories.

Hurricane Diane had just swept through the region, its floodwaters essentially ending deep mining operations in the area.

And as the nation grew away from a ramped-up wartime economy, facilities were closing and jobs became harder to find.

Community leaders were hoping to stop an exodus that would drain a proven workforce and destroy a local economy.

With that came Tamaqua Industrial Development Enterprises to the east, which set up an industrial park in Rush Township, just north of the borough.

To the north, there was CANDO, the Community and New Development Organization, that established its own industrial area outside Hazleton.

Looking south, Chamber of Commerce leaders in Palmerton were dealing with another dilemma. Waterways that once transported coal along the Lehigh River system were already replaced with railroads and a huge zinc plant that employed thousands of people was beginning to wind down its operations.

Leaders wanted to keep jobs local and they put together plans to build speculative sites in an area off Little Gap Road east of the borough.

In true grassroots manner, leaders turned to school children in a naming contest to drum up support. A ninth grader at Palmerton Area Joint High School, Jane Herman, came up with Palmerton Area Community’s Endeavor - PACE. Her suggestion, picked by local officials, earned her a $25 U.S. Savings Bond, an investment that would’ve taken nine years to reach face value.

It put into motion a network of fundraising volunteers and events in Berlinsville, Danielsville, Bowmanstown, Kunkletown, Parryville, Palmerton and Walnutport and Lower Towamensing and Towamensing townships.

The organization hit its first goal, $150,000, and had some success in bringing industry.

Some people donated money. A telethon raised $40,000. A local firm donated the 14 acres, which was eventually sold and the PACE coffers grew.

But as leaders in the Poconos realized they could shift the economy to a service based resort area, the focus on attracting industry faded.

Throughout most of Carbon County, tourism took over and industry took a back seat.

PACE faded into obscurity, except for some discussions about a revival in the 1980s and 1990s.

But the funding it received over the years continued to grow.

And the grassroots thinking that made it happen never faded.

Recently, the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the PACE account, changed the subgroup’s bylaws to better fit today’s economy.

Originally established to build speculative sites and lure industry, PACE shunned requests for startups and new business.

Take, for example, the request of an ordained pastor from Conyngham, near Hazleton, who sought backing for his effort to manufacture an electronic voting machine.

He told PACE back in 1960 that his startup had the potential of a $125 million business that would create 1,000 jobs. But PACE balked at the proposal, making it clear the industrial drive cash it held couldn’t be used to finance new ideas.

But times have changed. PACE’s coffers are filled to the tune of $940,000 - more than three times the $272,000 available to them in 1965 - and it’s ready to share the wealth.

New bylaws are allowing that cash to be doled out as $75,000 loans to businesses that would start up or improve their operation within the boundaries of Palmenton Area School District.

The 10-year loans, if approved, would be granted at interest rates lower than what hopefuls could get through conventional financial institutions.

The new loan program offers a new perspective on grassroots thinking and has tremendous potential to continue PACE’s original mission of bringing jobs to the Palmerton area.

And making the grass there greener.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline.com

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism.

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.