The Southside Bethlehem Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) was established in 2004. The KIZ has had a profound impact on innovation and entrepreneurship in Bethlehem by offering critical financial resources and assistance to early-stage startup companies. To date, the KIZ has invested over $8 million dollars in 100 companies since the program’s inception. Funding is available through a variety of programs, including commercialization and student internship grants, partnerships with Lehigh University and Northampton Community College, and sellable tax credits based on increased revenue.
Pi: Partnership for Innovation is a technology center in the heart of Southside Bethlehem. The recently renovated space has transformed the second floor of an old silk mill into 8 private suites ranging from 100 to 2,000 sq. ft. Affordable full service lease rates, combined with the loft-style ceilings, an industrial vibe, a shared conference room, and access to the Southside Bethlehem KIZ program presents an attractive option for startup companies. Close proximity to Lehigh University, Northampton Community College, and Moravian University provides endless opportunities for collaboration. Pi was designed to allow for companies to start up and establish themselves and find more traditional space within the community.
Site Selection Assistance
Whether you’re choosing a neighborhood for your business, or trying to identify the best use for a property that you own, the City of Bethlehem Department of Community & Economic Development can help. Our staff can help businesses identify appropriate locations or neighborhoods for your business, propose locations that best meet your needs, help existing businesses locate larger facilities or additional locations, and review potential sites under consideration by a business to identify any issues before a lease or sale. The staff can also provide maps of incentive zones such as the Enterprise Zone, KIZ, LERTA, and CRIZ and confirm your eligibility for these services and programs. Through our work with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Business Association, Southside Arts District, and Historic Bethlehem Partnership, we promote the quality of life and business climate in the City of Bethlehem.
Technical Assistance
We work with entrepreneurs and business owners in helping to facilitate their business ideas. Our experienced staff can guide you through the vast number of State financing programs and grants available to business. Other assistance includes help with determining licenses, permits and regulatory requirements, available financing, and any other steps necessary to build and maintain a business and vibrant business climate.
The Bethlehem Small Business Loan Fund provides financing to eligible business in order to create jobs for people who earn up to 80% of Bethlehem’s median income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These loans are intended to be utilized as gap-financing in conjunction with other traditional funding options. Funds range from $25,000-100,000 and can be used for acquisition of property, construction, substantial renovations, and equipment purchases. Borrowers must create one full-time equivalent position for each $35,000 borrowed within one year of the loan, and submit quarterly financial statements and employment statistics. The Small Business Loan is administered by the Rising Tide Community Loan Fund at CACLV. For more information on the Loan Fund, please contact Chris Hudock at
(484) 893-1039 or
chudock@caclv.org.
Downtown Market Analysis
The City of Bethlehem conducted a retail feasibility analysis of the Northside Historic District and the Southside Arts District to determine how much additional retail and restaurant development is able to be supported:
Northside Historic District
Northside (2021 Update)
Northside (2022 Update)
SouthSide Arts District
SouthSide (2021 Update)