Penn State Extension is sponsoring an Entrepreneurial Communities; Increasing Regional Prosperity through Entrepreneurism, all day conference April 12, at the Fowler Center in South Bethlehem.

Dr. Michael Fortunato, research associate and lecturer at Penn State University, will be the speaker.

His topic is Improving Entrepreneur's Success: What is Working in Communities?

A former entrepreneur himself, having launched Fortunet Entertainment in New York City at age 23, he is now associated with the Center for Economic and Community Development at Penn State.

The focus on entrepreneurial communities is broad.

It reflects small retail and agricultural entrepreneurs as well as those developing manufacturing and technology opportunities that employ several dozen people or more.

Economic development professionals, state and local officials, leaders in post-secondary and secondary education, and chambers of commerce as well as entrepreneurs themselves and the general public are invited.

Four local individuals representing efforts to support manufacturing, retail and service sectors will discuss how they get input about needs from entrepreneurs and what challenges they encounter.

Panelists include Matt Tuerk and Anthony Durante, both of Allentown; Ellen Larmer, of Upper Milford Township; and Sharon Davis, of Upper Mount Bethel Township.

They will represent Allentown Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem, and The Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Borough Business and Revitalization program.

There also will be time for participants to talk with others by county or region to identify how well their communities stack up relative to jobs and income generated by entrepreneurs as well as how communities encourage entrepreneurial success.

Time is included for these same groups to discuss how to connect local initiatives to regional strategies.

To register go to www.extension.psu.edu/ecd/events and scroll down to find where the conference details and registration are listed.

Early bird registration deadline is April 1.

Registration includes luncheon, snacks and program materials.