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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
Facebook
Twitter
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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

  • Aug
    12
    Event
    Invisible Warriors
    5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
    Event

    Invisible Warriors

    August 12, 2025
    5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, 3 hours
    To celebrate the Navy Yard's history as a former naval base, we are hosting Gregory Cooke, filmmaker of the documentary Invisible Warriors, which highlights the Black Rosies who worked at the shipyard during World War II. This free event includes a screening of the documentary and a Q&A with the filmmaker. More details will be shared here.
  • Aug
    14
    Event
    Succession Planning: Selling a business to the Workers
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Online
    Event

    Succession Planning: Selling a business to the Workers

    August 14, 2025
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hour
    Online
    map
    On Thursday, August 14th, from 4-5pm, the Philadelphia Area Cooperative Alliance will host a virtual succession planning event: Think About It: Selling a Business to the Workers.

    Whether you’re a business owner preparing to retire or an owner searching for a way to retain jobs, develop leadership, and build wealth, employee ownership can help you move your business forward. You can also be a worker who wants to learn more about the pathway to buy the business from its current owner. Either way, learn more about options and funding to support your journey at our introductory webinar. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the session.

    Register now
  • Sep
    17
    Event
    OEO Doing Business in the City: How to do Business with PGW
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Online
    Event

    OEO Doing Business in the City: How to do Business with PGW

    September 17, 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.

    The How to Do Business with PGW Workshop provides businesses with essential information on partnering with Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), the largest natural gas utility in the city. This workshop equips business owners with the knowledge and tools to access contracting opportunities with PGW, helping them build valuable relationships and expand their business within the energy sector.

    Presenter: Dr. Erica Patterson, PGW

    Register for this workshop.

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Press Releases

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