What we do
The Department of Commerce helps businesses—large and small—thrive in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the perfect home for your business, offering:
- Reasonable office rents and cost of living.
- A ready workforce.
- A central location on the Northeast corridor.
We work to:
- Attract and keep a diverse set of businesses.
- Revitalize neighborhoods by building vibrant commercial districts.
- Support small businesses and improve access to funding.
- Develop a strong talent pipeline.
- Increase contracting opportunities for minority, women, and disabled-owned businesses.
Connect
| Address |
1515 Arch St.
12th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
|---|---|
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business |
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Phone:
(215) 683-2100
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| Social |
Our programs
Announcements
NOW OPEN: Call For Ideas for Innovative Workforce Solutions
Proposals must clearly identify how funding would be used to address workforce challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and/or exacerbated by long-standing racial injustice.
Learn more, including how to apply, here. The deadline to apply is October 28, 2020 at 3 p.m.
Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Is Virtual This Year!
On Monday, October 5, the City’s Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) will kick off the 36th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which highlights minority businesses and the resources that help them grow. This year’s MED Week, October 5-9, will be entirely virtual, with a series of engaging events and activities to help support minority businesses in Philadelphia.
Events
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Sep29EventTemple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours4:00 pm to 5:00 pmEvent
Temple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours
September 29, 20204:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hourAccess experts who can help you navigate during COVID-19. Speak with someone face to face (virtually) who can help you.
Temple SBDC is holding open office hours via Zoom. You do not need to pre-register.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional resources, webinars, and recordings can also be accessed via the Temple SBDC website.
Click here to request an appointment -
Sep29EventConstruction Management Certificate Series6:30 pm to 8:30 pmEvent
Construction Management Certificate Series
September 29, 20206:30 pm to 8:30 pm, 2 hours
Course Description
Registration for the Construction Management Certificate
Pay in Full: $2,300.00
Payment Plan: $2,500.00
Down payment: $620.00
Monthly payment: $235.00
Course Outline
The Construction Management Certificate Series is a 9-month series of classes designed to provide business management tools to existing and aspiring independent contractors. Participants who complete the series will earn a Special Certificate of Completion from the Temple University Fox School of Business and the Small Business Development Center.
Requirements for graduation include:
- Team project
- Team resume
- Team project presentation
- Business concept paper
- Course payment in full
- Attendance in at least 80% of the classes
Notes
Under the payment plan, the down payment must be paid before the start of the series, while the payment due monthly must be paid on or before the first class of each month.
Late payments with no communication attempts will result in the following
- Students with payments past due 30 days or longer will not be able to enter class. Upon payment in full, students will be able to resume attending class.
- Students with payments past due 90 days or longer will be dropped from the class with no refunds and the payments will go to Temple University collections.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Construction Management Certificate : Construction Management Certificate Series
Registration Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=8361264
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Sep30Event[SBDC CoE] Planning for a Resilient Tourism and Hospitality Target Market - LGBTQ+12:00 pm to 1:00 pmZoom link to join: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99987204638Event
[SBDC CoE] Planning for a Resilient Tourism and Hospitality Target Market - LGBTQ+
September 30, 202012:00 pm to 1:00 pm, 1 hourZoom link to join: https://temple.zoom.us/j/99987204638mapDate:9/30/20
Time:12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
RegistrationDeadline: 9/30/20 11:00 AM (EDT)
Fee:No Fee
Pointof Contact: Jamie Shanker-Passero (215) 204-7282
TrainingTopics: COVID-19 General Support
Description: Withthe greatest amount of disposable, the LGBTQ+ market is often the one tocontinue to travel (or be the first to travel again) even during poor economictimes. It is a viable market for a number of organizations/destinations.However, companies need to understand it is more than just lip service to goafter the pink dollar. This webinar will highlight how gays can truly feelwelcome in just about every aspect of the tourism and hospitality experience
Instructions:Zoom link send with registration confirmation
RegistrationLink: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/26917
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Sep30EventWomen’s Business Enterprise Center-East Virtual Annual Awards Ceremony4:30 pm to 6:00 pmEvent
Women’s Business Enterprise Center-East Virtual Annual Awards Ceremony
September 30, 20204:30 pm to 6:00 pm, 2 hoursWomen’s Business Enterprise Center-East will acknowledge the deserving corporations, government agencies and the women business enterprises that are making a difference by opening the doors of opportunity to women business owners.
Our network honors clients, suppliers, and companies by nominating them for one or more categories. Award criteria varies from regional contributions, to promotion of WBEs, and also different spend categories. All winners will be honored at the virtual Annual Awards Celebration being held on Wednesday, September 30th.
Register for this event here. -
Sep30EventRethinking Business in the Age of COVID-196:00 pm to 9:00 pmEvent
Rethinking Business in the Age of COVID-19
September 30, 20206:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 3 hours
Course Description
These are challenging times and many of us are turning to entrepreneurship to regain financial stability. Others are rethinking their current business strategy to stay afloat. Are you ready to build the skills needed to ensure your business is profitable?
Join this 10-week virtual program that helps you get focused and make critical business decisions. Our rebooted curriculum, industry expert guest speakers, and interactive activities will guide you as you stay motivated with your new network of fellow entrepreneurs. Fine-tune your business concept, establish a strong organization, build lasting customer relations, and maintain profitable operations.
Six classes will take place Wednesday evenings and the remaining 4 classes can be taken at any time during their assigned week on the course calendar.
Topic Covered:
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Classes Titles: Business Writing
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Business Concept
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Project Management
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Customer Relations
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Accounting
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Business Organization
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Legal Considerations
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Operations
Registration for Rethinking Business in the Age of COVID-19:
Tuition: $200
**NOTE**
This course will be held online, and you must have your own laptop (equipped with a webcam) and internet capabilities!
Registration Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=7206561 -
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Oct1EventStarting a Business 1012:00 pm to 3:30 pmZoom link to join: https://temple.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qgxNzE-IRACAj4F5SC3dBgEvent
Starting a Business 101
October 1, 20202:00 pm to 3:30 pm, 2 hoursZoom link to join: https://temple.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qgxNzE-IRACAj4F5SC3dBgmapDate:10/1/20
Time:2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)
Status:Open - 500 places remaining
RegistrationDeadline: 10/1/20 8:00 AM (EDT)
Fee:No Fee
Pointof Contact: Jamie Shanker-Passero (215) 204-7282
TrainingTopics: Business Start-up/Preplanning
Description: Haveyour finances been impacted by the pandemic and pushed you to start thinkingabout launching a small business? Join this introductory presentation to breakdown the nuts and bolts of what is needed to start a business.
Instructions:Zoom link sent upon registration.
RegistrationLink: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/27068 -
Oct1EventTemple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours4:00 pm to 5:00 pmEvent
Temple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours
October 1, 20204:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hourAccess experts who can help you navigate during COVID-19. Speak with someone face to face (virtually) who can help you.
Temple SBDC is holding open office hours via Zoom. You do not need to pre-register.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional resources, webinars, and recordings can also be accessed via the Temple SBDC website.
Click here to request an appointment -
Oct1EventConstruction Management Certificate Series6:30 pm to 8:30 pmEvent
Construction Management Certificate Series
October 1, 20206:30 pm to 8:30 pm, 2 hours
Course Description
Registration for the Construction Management Certificate
Pay in Full: $2,300.00
Payment Plan: $2,500.00
Down payment: $620.00
Monthly payment: $235.00
Course Outline
The Construction Management Certificate Series is a 9-month series of classes designed to provide business management tools to existing and aspiring independent contractors. Participants who complete the series will earn a Special Certificate of Completion from the Temple University Fox School of Business and the Small Business Development Center.
Requirements for graduation include:
- Team project
- Team resume
- Team project presentation
- Business concept paper
- Course payment in full
- Attendance in at least 80% of the classes
Notes
Under the payment plan, the down payment must be paid before the start of the series, while the payment due monthly must be paid on or before the first class of each month.
Late payments with no communication attempts will result in the following
- Students with payments past due 30 days or longer will not be able to enter class. Upon payment in full, students will be able to resume attending class.
- Students with payments past due 90 days or longer will be dropped from the class with no refunds and the payments will go to Temple University collections.
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Construction Management Certificate : Construction Management Certificate Series
Registration Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=8361264