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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 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
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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
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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

Vote for our SXSW panel proposal!

We know that Philadelphia is a startup destination—now help us tell the world at South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual festival and conference in Austin, Texas. The Department of Commerce is proposing a panel highlighting Philadelphia’s startup and tech ecosystem.

This panel will put the spotlight on Philadelphia’s strengths, including our: 

  • Inclusive supports for founders.
  • World-class talent.
  • High quality of living at a low cost.

Vote for our panel through Aug. 23.

Announced on: Department of Commerce
Announcement

Commerce is hiring!

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

Director of Business Financial and Technical Assistance

Director of Talent Development

 

Announced on: Department of Commerce

Posts

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Events

  • Sep
    3
    Event
    Women's Opportunity Resource Center Family Savings Account Orientation
    6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
    WORC | 2010 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
    Event

    Women's Opportunity Resource Center Family Savings Account Orientation

    September 3, 2019
    6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, 2 hours
    WORC | 2010 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
    map
    The Women's Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) runs a Family Savings Account program, which is a savings and match program created to assist low-income individuals achieve self-sufficiency. Funds can be used in several ways, including funding a business. WORC holds monthly orientation sessions for anyone interested in learning more about this program. Sponsor: WORC - Women's Opportunity Resource Center Cost: Orientation is FREE More information and registration: http://www.worc-pa.com/contact-events.html
  • Sep
    17
    Event
    Entrepreneurial Success Workshop Series (ESWS)
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
    1510 Cecil B. Moore Ave. Second Floor. Philadelphia, PA 19130
    Event

    Entrepreneurial Success Workshop Series (ESWS)

    September 17, 2019
    6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, 3 hours
    1510 Cecil B. Moore Ave. Second Floor. Philadelphia, PA 19130
    map
    The Entrepreneurial Success Workshop Series (ESWS) is a ten-week program designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and information needed to create a professional business plan. The ESWS covers all of the basics you need to know to start a small business venture as well as grow an existing one.

    In the first two courses of the series, students in the class conduct a feasibility study to find out if they have a viable business plan. In the next six courses, students learn how to conduct market research, competitive intelligence and how to create financial statements. In the final section of the series, the students present their completed business plans. The benefit of this class is that all students produce a business plan by the end of the class, which enables them to receive management consulting from the SBDC and in turn further their business.


    The Entrepreneurial Success Workshop Series (ESWS) offers two payment options:


    Discounted Plan - pay in full $320.00 at the time of registration.


    Payment Plan – requires a $130.00 down payment due at the time of registration and two additional payments of $110 each which will be due on the 3rd and 5th weeks respectively. The total cost for the payment plan is $350.00.  



    Dates:

    9/17/2019 (TUESDAY)9/24/2019 (TUESDAY)
    10/1/2019 (TUESDAY)
    10/8/20 (TUESDAY)
    10/15/2019 (TUESDAY)
    10/22/2019 (TUESDAY)
    10/29/2019 (TUESDAY)
    11/5/2019 (TUESDAY)
    11/12/2019 (TUESDAY)

    11/19/2019 (TUESDAY)

    Register Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&from=courseprofile&certificateId=6512195&
  • Sep
    18
    Event
    Doing Business in the City: Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
    1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
    1515 Arch St., 18th floor, Room 18-029, Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Event

    Doing Business in the City: Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)

    September 18, 2019
    1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, 3 hours
    1515 Arch St., 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, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) 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 free event.
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Press releases

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