May 3, 2023 – In honor of National Small Business Week, the City of Allentown is announcing that it is now accepting applications for the 2023 Spark Program.

Spark is a business development mentorship program, run by the Department of Community and Economic Development, that provides small businesses with one-on-one technical assistance, mentorship and consulting services like social media and digital marketing, e-commerce, financial planning, strategic planning, cybersecurity, and legal assistance from local professionals.

The program launched in 2021 with funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist local businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Spark has supported 23 businesses to date.

“Participating in the SPARK program has been so beneficial to RE:find,” said Jon Clark, co-owner of RE:find Furnishings. “Having partners who provide free consulting to help us through various challenges is invaluable for a small business post-COVID.”

Small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) based in Allentown are eligible to receive up to 14 hours of support.

The Downtown Allentown Business Alliance and the Allentown Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce manage the program and tailor the services to the needs of each participating business, as well as establishing strategic connections to mentors.

“When I started Stay Calm Industries, the goal was to help small businesses be better at what they do,” said Evan Johnson, a vendor and program partner/mentor. “The SPARK Program makes that easier to do than ever. Getting paired with such a huge variety of businesses really opened our eyes to the vibrancy and variety Allentown has to offer.”

Interested businesses can apply online at www.allentownpa.gov/AllentownSPARK. The application is available in both English and Spanish. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2023, or until funding is exhausted.

The Spark program is also currently seeking bilingual service providers that can offer mentorship services in social media and digital marketing, e-commerce, financial planning, and legal assistance in Spanish. Those interested should contact the City’s Office Business Expansion, Attraction, and Retention at business@allentownpa.gov.

 

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
Communications Manager
Office of the Mayor
http://www.AllentownPA.gov

---