Downtown Manager of the Southside Arts District Missy Hartney, in a virtual public meeting with stakeholders recently, reviewed goals to maintain and expand economic vitality for the Southside. This included merchant awards, a new sponsorship packet for 2021 events, educational workshops, updating a digital coupon book for merchants, and developing an information packet for current Southside businesses and property owners to encourage involvement.

Increasing membership in the Southside Arts District through more aggressive recruitment was discussed.

Pete Reinke from Univest suggested reaching out to younger developers like Dallas Basha, in addition to entrepreneurs in the Black and Latino communities.

Helping business owners learn how to market themselves on social media was one of the suggested educational programs Hartney proposed. She added that attendees at these workshops should have follow-up assistance available to them as well.

She mentioned the Southside Arts District is an extension of the Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation, but may become its own entity sometime in the future.

Hartney lamented the current political environment encompassing COVID-19 that has created friction among business owners. Those who have taken the pandemic seriously and follow CDC guidelines are frustrated with their neighbors who don’t.

Bethlehem Business Development & Retention Specialist Shawn Fuller encouraged her with, “When it’s over, it may not linger.” She added, “We can all get through it together.”

For more information, visit www.southsideartsdistrict.com