PHILADELPHIA — City launches the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub, a user-friendly platform that provides access to personalized help, guides, events, organizations, and resources in one place. Developed as part of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s PHL Open for Business Executive Order, this website is designed to help businesses navigate available services, find relevant support, and connect with organizations that can help meet their needs. 13 advisory board members have been selected, representing business service organizations, neighborhood organizations, and entrepreneurs, to help guide the continued expansion and maintenance of the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub.

Since the beginning of the Parker Administration, with support from JumpStart Small Business Support initiative, the Department of Commerce has invested more than $30 million into businesses in Philadelphia. This includes grants to 2,065 businesses, and personalized assistance provided to more than 19,373 businesses served by the Mayor’s Business Action Team.

Building upon these investments, the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub is now launched to make it easier for businesses to connect to City resources and beyond. The site currently features:

  • More than 300 resources including funding, legal support, and mentorship.
  • More than 140 events across the city.
  • More than 250 local organizations that provide programs and services.
  • Three core guides about how to start a business, how to connect with organizations across the city and how to obtain advising services.
  • Access to personalized assistance from the Mayor’s Business Action Team in multiple languages for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia.

“We are committed to making it easier to do business in Philadelphia. That’s why our administration worked diligently to launch the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “In partnership with our economic development partners across the city, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy while providing access to resources for the businesses and residents that call Philadelphia home. This is what One Philly, a United City, looks like.”

“Philadelphia has a strong network of partners and resources dedicated to supporting businesses.  The launch of our Philadelphia Business Resource Hub is a reflection of that network,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “The site also provides access to the variety of programs, resources and personalized assistance from the Parker Administration. Together, we will continue to help all businesses succeed with access to economic opportunity.”

“We heard from businesses that having one central place to find resources, guidance and support is needed. We listened and followed through by launching the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub,” said Yvonne Boye, Deputy Commerce Director, Office of Neighborhood Economic Development. “The Hub belongs to all of us. This is only the beginning. Our foundation is set, with more to come.”

The Philadelphia Business Resource Hub was developed by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, in partnership with Ecomap Technologies. Advisory committee members, businesses and partner organizations provided ongoing guidance to help shape its development. PIDC, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and JP Morgan Chase served as key supporting partners in alignment with the Philadelphia Equitable Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Report, which drove this project forward.

“On a quarterly basis, we gathered more than 50 Business Support Organizations for feedback as the site progressed. We also conducted a rigorous procurement process and multiple rounds of focus groups with small business owners and their supporters,” said Liam Kelly Fleming, Senior Director, Small Business Assistance Programs, Office of Neighborhood Economic Development, Department of Commerce. “Equitable Cities Consulting, served as project manager, helping the City carry the project from proposals to reality. We are grateful for the partnership with Ecomap Technologies, our advisory committee members, the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology, and the Commerce team that supported this throughout. This has been a true team effort.”

“At EcoMap we believe that regions already have the ingredients, and what they need is the infrastructure that connects them,” said Sherrod Davis, Co-founder and CEO, EcoMap Technologies. “Philadelphia committed to building that infrastructure with us, so the Department of Commerce and its partners can coordinate small business support across every neighborhood. I’m proud of what we built together.”

As the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub continues to expand, the City encourages businesses and organizations to submit additional resources directly through the website. The City also welcomes feedback through the website’s general feedback form, including suggestions for future guides and other improvements.

Advisory board members 

The following individuals, representing business service organizations, neighborhood organizations, and entrepreneurs will help guide the continued expansion and maintenance of the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub as Advisory board members:

  • Akeem Dixon, Founder, The Intersect
  • Arthur Gimenez, Director, Lending and Programs, Impact Loan Fund
  • Cherron Perry-Thomas, Co-founder, Plant and People
  • Jennifer Rodriguez, President, CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Katie Hanford, Executive Director, East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District
  • Kwaku Boateng, President & CEO, LA21-CDC & LA-ERIC
  • Layla El Tannir, Director, Entrepreneurship & Immigrant Marché, The Welcoming Center
  • Marla Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Client Engagement and Business Support, PIDC
  • Matthew George, Business Development Manager, Germantown United CDC
  • Raquel Villanueva Dang, Owner, Baby’s Kusina + Market
  • Sylvie Gallier-Howard, Founder, CEO, Equitable Cities Consulting
  • Tiffany Spraggins, Director, Power Up Your Business, Community College of Philadelphia
  • Yvonne Boye, Deputy Commerce Director, Office of Neighborhood Economic Development

“We have been working on this project together, and I’m so pleased to see it launched. I will share the Hub widely with the Hispanic businesses that we serve and work with the team to keep it relevant and accessible for all businesses across the city,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, President, CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “It is my pleasure to serve on the advisory board to help the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub continue to expand through the years.”

“I am pleased to serve as an incoming board member to highlight the perspective of neighborhood businesses in the areas that we serve and of our business support organization,” said Kwaku Boateng, President & CEO, LA21-CDC & LA-ERIC. “We’re excited to share the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub widely. This website is a central platform that our corridors managers, business coaches and class instructors can use themselves. We’ll also direct business owners to find additional programs that can help improve their business operations. We are dedicated to supporting the growth of our Philadelphia Business Resource Hub as resource for all entrepreneurs across Philadelphia.”

Learn more about the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub at: phillybizhub.com

A photo album is available from today’s launch of the Philadelphia Business Resource Hub. Additional photos will be added as they become available.

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