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Department of Commerce

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

Department of Commerce

In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, the City has announced changes to restrictions on businesses, events and gatherings, and other activities to help flatten the epidemic curve. 
Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can learn more about information and resources available.

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
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Looking for guidance or support?

Business resource finder

Connect with organizations that can help you start, run, and grow your business.

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Keystone Opportunity Zones

Using tax exemptions to increase investment in areas lacking development.​
Big brick building with cars parked outside.

Keystone Innovation Zones

Providing tax credits to for-profit companies in the life sciences and tech.

Storefront Improvement Program

Helping business and property owners to upgrade their storefronts.
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Announcements

Announcement

New Grant Program: Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant & Gym Relief Program

The Philadelphia COVID-19 Restaurant and Gym Relief Program (RGRP) is designed to provide financial relief to small businesses located in Philadelphia that have been among the most adversely affected by the latest round of pandemic-related restrictions enacted in November 2020. Eligible businesses are limited to restaurants with indoor dining, gyms, and businesses whose primary activity is indoor exercise. Grant awards are estimated to be up to $15,000 per business. Applications will be available beginning January 28, 2021 here. 

Announced on: Department of Commerce
Announcement

Paycheck Protection Program Reopens for Applications

The federal Paycheck Protection Program has reopened for applications. Businesses that did not receive funding from the program last year are given first priority, but all businesses that employ 0-300 people, including sole-proprietors, are eligible to apply; this includes businesses that received PPP loans in 2020. Learn more about how to apply.

Announced on: Department of Commerce

Posts

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Events

  • Jan
    23
    Event
    Food Business Series: Principles of Food Marketing
    8:00 am to 12:00 pm
    Event

    Food Business Series: Principles of Food Marketing

    January 23, 2021
    8:00 am to 12:00 pm, 4 hours

    Date:1/23/21

    Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EST)

    Status: Open - 497 places remaining

    Registration Deadline: 1/23/21 8:00 AM (EST)

    Fee: No Fee

    Point of Contact: Kiki Leavy

    Program Format: Online Meeting (Live)

    Training Topics: COVID-19 General Support, Managing aBusiness, Marketing/Sales

     

    Description: Do you have a food-based business, restaurant,food cart, or interested in starting one? Don't know where to begin in theHospitality Industry? Temple SBDC is hosting a nine-module series to teach youeverything you need to know... There will be open office hours on Saturdayafternoons after class to ask the experts specific questions about yourbusiness. All modules and office hours are virtual.

    This workshop is the first in a nine-part series, and isrecommended for individuals planning to attend any oral of the followingsessions. The session will cover the Marketing Planning process in detail andhighlight each of the modules covered throughout the rest of the series.

     

    Attendees will be able to:

    Understand the framework for developing a Sales &Marketing Plan

    Prepare themselves for the rest of the webinars in the foodbusiness series

    Create a strategy outline for marketing in the foodindustry

     

    Target Audience:

    Food-based businesses

    Restaurants, food carts, etc.

    Individuals interested in starting a food business

    This webinar will be presented by Tandem Associates, a wellestablished marketing group with years of experience in the food marketingindustry.

     

    Instructions:

    Zoom link sent with registration. Please confirm that youremail address is typed correctly.

     

    Registration Link: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/27627

  • Jan
    26
    Event
    Temple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
    Event

    Temple SBDC Virtual Open Office Hours

    January 26, 2021
    4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, 1 hour
    Access 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
  • Jan
    26
    Event
    Construction Management Certificate Series
    6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
    Event

    Construction Management Certificate Series

    January 26, 2021
    6:30 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



    Registration Link: https://noncredit.temple.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=8361264
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