Microbusiness Leaders to Gather Today at Lehigh

More than 50 small business owners and micro-entrepreneurs are expected to showcase their talents and products today at the Third Annual Lehigh Valley Microenterprise Expo.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. today at Rauch Business Center.

One of the ideas, according to a news release issued by the event’s organizers, is to “promote the Valley’s rich array of products and services to purchasers, consultants, would-be partners and the locally curious.”

The hope is to help fledgling entrepreneurs network and generate new business relationships.

“Big purchasers and big companies often bypass smaller ventures and startups,” the news release says. But small business accounts for 52 percent of all American workers.

Turn a few microenterprises into small businesses, and you may get a local economic boom,” the release said.

Last year, one local micro-business that manufactures fiber-optic lighting was introduced to another that designs dog clothes. The resulting partnership is now a growing fad for pet owners in Florida.

A broad array of businesses are expected to be represented, including local artists, bed & breakfast owners, green energy consultants, doughnut makers, construction companies, business services, personal care and technology entrepreneurs.

The annual event is sponsored by the Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, Lehigh University’s Small Business Development Center and the university’s Microfinance Club.