Bethlehem celebrates Small Business Week

It’s National Small Business Week and state officials were in Bethlehem to mark the occasion.

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Deputy Secretary of Business Finance Mandy Book today toured downtown Bethlehem in Northampton County with local leaders to emphasize the important impact small businesses have on their local and the state’s economies and encouraged Pennsylvanians to support their local downtowns and main streets.

Book was joined by local leaders for the event as they visited a number of the city’s businesses, including: the Moravian Book Shop , The Flying Egg restaurant, Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom , Donegal Square gift shop, and Aardvark sports store.

“The innovative small businesses and hard-working entrepreneurs we visited today along Main Street in Bethlehem are truly what fuels Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Book. “When small businesses thrive, so do our communities. That’s why Governor Shapiro is so passionate about calling for smart investments that strengthen our downtowns and communities through the proposed Main Street Matters program.”

She said supporting small businesses and main streets is an essential component of the Governor’s economic development strategy and 2024-25 budget proposal which includes a total of $600 million in economic development investments including a $25 million investment in the proposed Main Street Matters program.

“Bethlehem is fortunate to have two thriving and vibrant downtown business districts where our small business owners have cultivated special shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences around our unique colonial and industrial historical assets,” said Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds. “Governor Shapiro's Main Street Matters program is a welcome investment that can further support these businesses, which is critical as we seek a World Heritage designation and continue to attract and invite residents and visitors to these areas as the gateways to our city.”

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