City of Philadelphia

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Department of Commerce

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

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Department of Commerce

Services

Meet your area’s business services manager
Find loans through the Philadelphia Business Lending Network
Do business with the City
Find location and zoning information
Pay your business taxes
See all Services

What we do

The Department of Commerce helps businesses—large and small—thrive in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the ideal home for your business, offering:

  • A central location along the Northeast corridor.
  • A ready and talented workforce.
  • Competitive office rents and commercial real estate costs.
  • Vibrant commercial districts and growing innovation industries.
  • World-class dining, history, and cultural attractions.

We work to:

  • Attract and grow a diverse set of businesses.
  • Revitalize neighborhood commercial districts throughout the city.
  • Support small businesses and improve their access to funding.
  • Build a strong talent pipeline.
  • Increase economic opportunities for historically underserved business owners.

Connect

Address
1515 Arch St.
12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Email business@phila.gov
Phone
Phone: (215) 683-2100
Social
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Business Resource Finder

Looking for guidance or support?

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

Go to the finder

Programs

The Catalyst Fund

Fueling the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Philadelphia.

Storefront Improvement Program

Helping business and property owners to upgrade their storefronts.
Man on a ladder installing a security camera.

Business Security Camera Program

Funding for businesses to get surveillance cameras.

PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program

Creating employment opportunities for residents while keeping Philadelphia’s neighborhood commercial corridors clean.
A woman working at her small business.

Quality Jobs Program

Investing in businesses that create new jobs with living wages and health insurance benefits for Philadelphia residents.
An open hand holding a key

Commercial Real Estate Acquisition Loan (CREAL) Program

Funding small businesses to purchase commercial property or real estate.
See all Programs

Events

  • Apr
    7
    Event
    First Step: Starting a Small Business in Pennsylvania (Hybrid)
    1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
    14 Suites on Main - Arnold Ave 896 East Main Street, Clarion PA 16214
    Event

    First Step: Starting a Small Business in Pennsylvania (Hybrid)

    April 7, 2026
    1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 3 hours
    14 Suites on Main - Arnold Ave 896 East Main Street, Clarion PA 16214
    map
    This monthly seminar by Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center provides an overview on the steps to start a business along with an in-depth look at a business plan. Topics include business registrations, licenses, business structures, taxation, research tools, what to expect in financing your business and how the Small Business Development Center can help you start and grow your business. This event is a hybrid event so it is being offered in person and virtually via Zoom. If you plan to attend virtually, you will need to use the follow up link to register in Zoom and then Zoom will email the link to log into the webinar.

    Fee: $20.00    
    Click here to register
  • Apr
    8
    Event
    Webinar: Small Business 101
    11:00 am to 12:00 pm
    virtual
    Event

    Webinar: Small Business 101

    April 8, 2026
    11:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1 hour
    virtual
    map

    Philadelphia VIP presents a legal-focused webinar led by Joel Ruffini of Duane Morris, covering key milestones and considerations when starting a small business in Philadelphia. Participants will gain practical guidance on business law essentials and have the chance to ask questions during a live Q&A session.

    Register

  • Apr
    8
    Event
    2026 PA Tax Series: Withholding Basics
    12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
    Virtual
    Event

    2026 PA Tax Series: Withholding Basics

    April 8, 2026
    12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, 1 hour
    Virtual
    map
    Whether you’re ready to hire your first employee, you already have employees, or you are looking to pay someone to perform services for your business, this module will help you navigate withholding basics from W2 income to 1099s. In this Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center webinar, you will learn when you need to withhold from compensation, which income statements apply to different types of employees or contractors, how to file and pay withholding, as well as year-end reporting. Additionally, this module will touch on withholding for retirement income and PA rules for different types of retirement withdrawals.

    Click here to register
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