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Department of Commerce

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

Department of Commerce

Services

Meet your area’s business service 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
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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
Email business@phila.gov
Phone: (215) 683-2100
Social
Facebook
Twitter

Our programs

Fair Chance Hiring Initiative

Reimbursing local employers who hire individuals returning from incarceration.

Business Security Camera Program

Funding for businesses to get surveillance cameras.

Storefront Improvement Program

Helping business and property owners to upgrade their storefronts.
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Announcements

Announcement

Commerce is hiring!

Do you want to work for the Department of Commerce? Apply for one of our open position:

Communications Director
Program and Contract Compliance Manager

Announced on: Department of Commerce

Posts

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Events

  • Feb
    19
    Event
    February Temple Business Roundtable @ IEI focusing on Procurement
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
    1810 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
    Event

    February Temple Business Roundtable @ IEI focusing on Procurement

    February 19, 2019
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 3 hours
    1810 Liacouras Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
    map
    Considering starting a business but not sure where to start? This FREE event is for you. Network with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and learn from our expert panel who will address challenges faced by small business owners. This month’s panel will focus on procurement. https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/25627
  • Feb
    20
    Event
    Doing Business in the City: Philadelphia Water Department
    1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
    1515 Arch Street 18th Floor, Room 18-029 Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Event

    Doing Business in the City: Philadelphia Water Department

    February 20, 2019
    1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, 3 hours
    1515 Arch Street 18th Floor, Room 18-029 Philadelphia, PA 19102
    map
    Join Philadelphia's Office of Economic Opportunity for Doing Business in the City, a monthly event that explores opportunities to build your business with City contracts. This month, the Philadelphia Water Department will present. This event can help you develop strategy for pursuing competitive bids and non-competitive contracts. Learn more about the resources available to support your business.

    Register for the event.
  • Feb
    20
    Event
    JumpStart - The Business Plan
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
    Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) - 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1124 Philadelphia, PA, 19107
    Event

    JumpStart - The Business Plan

    February 20, 2019
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 3 hours
    Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) - 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1124 Philadelphia, PA, 19107
    map
    Details: https://ic.womensbdc.org/Events.aspx?mode=0&area=Philadelphia&zip=&miles=25&center=12010&topicnum=2&days=120&sort=M&layout=0 Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern If you're registering for the entire series, use the series page for a discount on your registration: https://ic.womensbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=10390003 The three-hour Business Plan workshop will help you understand the elements, applications, and contents of a good business plan. The Business Plan is a workshop on planning for business success. Sound business planning is an essential ingredient for success. A well-conceived business plan is also the key to securing necessary funds for an entrepreneur's start-up or expansion. In the Business Plan workshop you will: • Understand what a business plan is. • Understand why a business plan is necessary. • Learn the elements and contents of a good business plan. • Learn how to develop and write a business plan. • Learn the steps in the business planning process. • Create a mission statement. This workshop is part of our JumpStart series, a low cost, flexible five-week workshop series that helps prospective business owners increase their chances for success and reduce the risks associated with starting a business. Limited financial aid is available to those who qualify. Contact our office for a financial aid application. Course fees are non-refundable. Fee: $35 Registration: 5:45 Class: 6:00 - 9:00
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Press releases

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