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City of Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds declared a snow emergency in Bethlehem effective 6:00 PM Saturday, January 24, 2026 to allow plowing of snow to the curb on designated City Emergency Routes/Streets.

All vehicles need to be removed from the designated/signed side of streets on Bethlehem snow emergency routes by 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Vehicles not removed will be towed to allow for plowing.

One side of a snow emergency route is plowed at a time. Residents should check the signs posted along snow emergency routes to determine which side of the street - the even or odd - will be cleared first.

Residents needing immediate assistance while the snow emergency declaration is in effect should call our activated 24-hour phone number: 610-865-7115.

The following Bethlehem Parking Authority gated garages will be free of charge beginning at 6:00 PM Saturday until 4 hours after the snow emergency is lifted, to accommodate parking needs: North Street, New Street, Walnut Street, Riverport and Polk Street. Residents are asked not to park on public parking lots due to the need to plow these lots.

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Home / Community & Economic Development / Economic Development / Open a Business

Open a Business

Join our vibrant Bethlehem business community!

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)