Chamber hosts program on starting a trail business

Many opportunities exist for new businesses that cater to trail users.

Ever dream of starting your own business? Maybe that is a B&B, a café, small shop or a guided tour service. The millions of trail users in the area are a large market that need restaurants, lodging, shops, and services.

The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp. and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor are hosting a workshop from 8 a.m. to noon March 22 for officials in and around the D&L Corridor and anyone who has ever considered opening a business to cater to trail and outdoor recreation users.

The workshop will be at the Lehighton Outdoor Center, located at 123 Lehigh Drive in Lehighton.

This will be a creative seminar to arm anyone who may have a business idea with information that will enable them to take the next step to owning and operating a successful trail friendly business. This seminar is for anyone in Bucks, Carbon, Lehigh Luzerne or Northampton counties who has influence in the community and who is interested in affecting positive change along trails.

The seminar will feature David Kahley from the Greater Allegheny Passage and the Progress Fund as the Keynote Speaker.

Kahley led the efforts to create The Trail Town Program along the GAP Trail and has funded many trail friendly businesses.

In addition to the CCEDC and D&L, the seminar will include Jerry McAward from the Lehighton Outdoor Center, The Small Business Development Center of Wilkes University, SCORE of the Lehigh Valley, and local borough representatives.

The event is free.

Register online at: www.carboncountychamber.org or call 610-379-5000.