Accepting Applications now for Start Up businesses!  Applications are due by Wednesday April 15, 2026.  A start up business is defined as a business operating for 6 months or less.  All other grant eligibility criteria still applies.

The Town of Bethlehem was awarded $200,000 for the 2025 round of the Microenterprise Grant Program.  The 2025 Program has awarded 6 businesses and is still accepting applications for Start Up businesses located in Bethlehem or planning to locate in Bethlehem within the next year.

First launched in Bethlehem in 2014, the program has supported 29 businesses to date through four funding rounds totaling over $700,000 of support for new and existing microenterprises (5 or fewer employees) in the Town of Bethlehem. As in past rounds, eligible businesses will be able to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 to support the purchase of capital goods, including machinery, furniture, fixtures, equipment; and/or to provide working capital to support business operations (see Program Guidelines below for additional eligibility criteria).

Application Materials

To apply, please complete the application form, business certification, and MWBE personal financial statement or similar.  Your application materials should also include the documents requested on page 5 of the application form.  Please review the Program Guidelines and the other reference materials below for full details about the program.

Please email your complete application to BConner@bethlehemny.gov or deliver it by mail or in-person to:

Town of Bethlehem Department of Economic Development and Planning
Bethlehem Town Hall
Attn:  Senior Economic Developer
445 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, NY  12054

Program Guidelines and Reference Materials

Note:  These materials do not need to be submitted with your application, they are for reference.

• Public Information Session Slides
• Video Recording from Public Information Session 9/25/2025
• Program Guidelines
• Grant Agreement
• Creating a UEI

Questions/Contact

Please contact Brianne Conner, Senior Economic Developer, at 518-439-4955 x1189 or BConner@bethlehemny.gov with any questions about the program and application process.