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Department of Commerce

Making Philadelphia a business-friendly city where companies choose to start, stay, and grow.

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Department of Commerce

Services

Meet your area’s business services manager
Find loans through the Philadelphia Business Lending Network
Do business with the City
Register as a minority, woman, or disabled-owned business
Find location and zoning information
Pay your business taxes
See all Services

What we do

The Department of Commerce helps businesses—large and small—thrive in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the ideal home for your business, offering:

  • A central location along the Northeast corridor.
  • A ready and talented workforce.
  • Competitive office rents and commercial real estate costs.
  • Vibrant commercial districts and growing innovation industries.
  • World-class dining, history, and cultural attractions.

We work to:

  • Attract and grow a diverse set of businesses.
  • Revitalize neighborhood commercial districts throughout the city.
  • Support small businesses and improve their access to funding.
  • Build a strong talent pipeline.
  • Increase economic opportunities for historically underserved business owners.

Connect

Address
1515 Arch St.
12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Email business@phila.gov
Phone: (215) 683-2100
Social
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Business Resource Finder

Looking for guidance or support?

Connect with organizations that can help you start, run, and grow your business.

Go to the finder

Programs

The Catalyst Fund

Fueling the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Philadelphia.

Storefront Improvement Program

Helping business and property owners to upgrade their storefronts.
Man on a ladder installing a security camera.

Business Security Camera Program

Funding for businesses to get surveillance cameras.

PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program

Creating employment opportunities for residents while keeping Philadelphia’s neighborhood commercial corridors clean.
A woman working at her small business.

Quality Jobs Program

Investing in businesses that create new jobs with living wages and health insurance benefits for Philadelphia residents.
An open hand holding a key

Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program

Funding small businesses to purchase commercial property or real estate.
See all Programs

Posts

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Events

  • May
    20
    Event
    SBDC: First Step to Starting a Business
    1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
    555 Union Boulevard Allentown PA, 18109
    Event

    SBDC: First Step to Starting a Business

    May 20, 2025
    1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, 2 hours
    555 Union Boulevard Allentown PA, 18109
    map

    Join us for a workshop that will discuss essential topics for starting a business, including the requirements for initiation, obtaining financing, necessary licenses and applications, and the significance and function of a business plan, marketing plan, and financial plan. 

    The workshop will begin promptly at 1:00 P.M. This workshop will be offered via Zoom, and in person, at the PA CareerLink Lehigh® Valley office. When registering, please choose if you will attend in-person or online. If you choose online attendance, links will be sent closer to the event date.

    IN PERSON LOCATION: PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley | 555 Union Boulevard Allentown PA, 18109

    Register Here

  • May
    20
    Event
    SCORE: How Tariffs Can Impact Your Business and How to Prepare
    1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
    Online
    Event

    SCORE: How Tariffs Can Impact Your Business and How to Prepare

    May 20, 2025
    1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 1 hour
    Online
    map

    About the event


    Tariffs are taxes levied on goods and materials imported from specific countries. These taxes can significantly impact your business, leading to supply chain disruptions and changes in pricing strategies.

    In this webinar, you will learn about the effects tariffs could have on your business and how to prepare for them. We’ll explore various strategies you can adopt, such as diversifying your supply chains, considering domestic sourcing, improving operational efficiency, or adjusting your pricing.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • What tariffs are and how they can impact your business
    • How to prepare your business
    • How to adjust your supply chain
    • How tariffs can affect your pricing

    Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.

    Register Here.

  • May
    21
    Event
    OEO Doing Business in the City: Breaking Barriers for Entrepreneurs
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Online
    Event

    OEO Doing Business in the City: Breaking Barriers for Entrepreneurs

    May 21, 2025
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours
    Online
    map

    The Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) offers Doing Business in the City Workshops to help businesses navigate opportunities, resources, and processes for successfully contracting with the City of Philadelphia. These workshops are designed to support minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses (M/W/DSBEs) by providing guidance on:

    • City procurement processes
    • Certification requirements for becoming a registered M/W/DSBE
    • How to find and bid on City contracts
    • Networking opportunities with City departments, agencies, and prime contractors

    The workshops equip businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to access City contracts, expand capacity, and grow sustainably, aligning with Philadelphia's commitment to economic opportunity for all.

    Presenter: Jonathan Sklar, Vice President, Business Community Officer, Bank of America

    Topic: Breaking Barriers for Entrepreneurs: Complimentary Resources to take your Business to the Next Level

    Register for this workshop.

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Press Releases

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