Summer Youth Business Grant awardees, from left, Marie Lee, Junseo Kim, Jolene Garduno and Morgan Smith, with LACDC Executive Director Patrick Sullivan, center, are four of 12 students who received grants for their summer start-ups. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN

The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) has announced its 2015 Summer Youth Business Grant Recipients.

The 12 students are the owners behind 11 businesses ranging from arts and crafts to landscaping and tennis lessons.

Recipients include Hannah Biggs, Sam Crooks, Elise Koskelo, Macklin Cunico, Jolene Garduno, Junseo Kim, Aaron Lauritzen, Marie Lee, Morgan Smith, Jonmichael Weaver, Isaiah Aylmer and Jude Valdez.

“We are always so impressed with the dedication these young people have to learning how to operate a business,” LACDC Executive Director Patrick Sullivan said. “We encourage all Los Alamos County residents to consider our Youth Business Grant awardees when shopping for goods and services this summer.”

As new businesses are created, Sullivan’s team also has funded three young men and one young woman as returning applicants. Jonmichael Weaver of Buddy’s Beans returns to the roaster again this summer as he continues to maintain his small batch roasting principles and Christian ministry.

Elise Koskelo blends craftsmanship and style in her yarn blends with fashion forward offerings in shawls for every occasion and every season. Macklin Cunico is back in action for all those summer landscaping projects and lawn mowing needs.

Sam Crooks is in his second year with movie theater commercial making with plans to showcase several local businesses with his work at the Reel Deal Theater as summer movie ticket sales soar.

A list of the businesses will soon be available on the LACDC website at www.losalamosdevelopment.com. Businesses and individuals willing to sponsor young business owners with any size donation can send them to Assets In Action in care of the LACDC at P.O. Box 1206 in Los Alamos.

Plenty of opportunities for sponsor recognition are still available and those wishing to offer mentoring services can also contact the coordinator at 505.695.9139.