The City of Bethlehem is experiencing an economic and cultural renaissance promising a future as bright as its past. Boasting a population of more than 78,000, two vibrant downtown business districts, and a tight-knit community of diverse enterprises and entrepreneurs, Bethlehem is a unique place for your business to call home.
City staff is here to help guide you through the specific steps to opening a business within city limits. We can provide premium data sets to assist with site selection, connect you with our downtown organizations, and assist in accessing state and local incentives that may be available to support your growth.
Bringing Your Idea to Life
While our team is not able to offer business development services, our community partners can provide valuable guidance on creating a business plan, identifying a target market, understanding financing options, and determining the best steps to take to bring your idea to life.
Be sure to understand the state's requirements for doing business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A highly recommended resource, the Pennyslvania Business One-Stop Shop offers a quick and easy survey that generates a custom business checklist based on your responses.
Bethlehem is also home to a branch of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (SBDC), part of the Lehigh University College of Business and located in the heart of Southside. Lehigh SBDC "provide(s) no-cost, confidential, one-on-one consulting and low-to-no-cost educational workshops for small businesses in Lehigh, Northampton, and Bucks counties."
Zoning Requirements
Before you sign a lease or purchase property, it is crucial that you understand the essentials of Bethlehem's zoning rules. Review the resources our colleagues in the Bureau of Planning & Zoning offer to verify that operating your business will be a "permitted use" at the identified location.
OUR PARTNERS
Southside Arts District
Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Districts Map
Northside Downtown Market Analysis (2021 Update)
Southside Downtown Market Analysis (2021 Update)