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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
Register as a minority, woman, or disabled-owned business
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: (215) 683-2100
Social
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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

Announcements

Announcement

Startup World Cup Philadelphia Regional Pitch Competition

Great news! The City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce is thrilled to host the Philadelphia Regional Tech Startup World Cup Pitch Competition at Temple University on September 18.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity positioning and celebrating Philadelphia on the global stage. This Philadelphia competition, hosted by the Department of Commerce, is one of more than 100 regional pitch competitions happening across the world. The Philadelphia first prize winner will compete in the Startup World Cup, largest tech competition in the world.

10 tech startups will be selected to compete in Philadelphia on September 18.  Selected tech startups must pitch for 4 minutes with 2 minutes of Q&A. Are you an eligible tech startup interested in pitching and competing that day? Click here to submit your application by September 2, 2024. 

Announced on: Department of Commerce

Programs

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.

Fair Chance Hiring Initiative

Reimbursing local employers who hire individuals returning from incarceration.

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.
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Posts

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Events

  • Sep
    18
    Event
    OEO Doing Business in the City - An Employer's Guide to Phila Labor Laws
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Event

    OEO Doing Business in the City - An Employer's Guide to Phila Labor Laws

    September 18, 2024
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours

    The City is providing businesses with the resources, education, and knowledge needed to thrive now and throughout the year. Did you hear the good news? We are expanding capacity-building efforts for businesses with a series of monthly, educational workshops. 

    The goal of each workshop is to share pathways toward generational wealth for minority-, women-, disabled-owned businesses. Join us this year to:

    • Learn about available resources.
    • Explore opportunities to grow with City contracts.
    • Develop a strategy to pursue business proposals.
    • Network with like-minded businesses.

    Register for this workshop.

    Topic: An Employer's Guide to Philadelphia Labor Laws

    Presenters: Eric Schulz, Director of Outreach and Communication, Office of Workforce Protection

    This virtual series is from the Department of Commerce, Office of Economic Opportunity. For additional information, please contact Jennifer Wise at Jennifer.Wise@phila.gov

  • Sep
    25
    Event
    OEO Business Development Series - How to do Business with PHA
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Event

    OEO Business Development Series - How to do Business with PHA

    September 25, 2024
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours

    The City is providing businesses with the resources, education, and knowledge needed to thrive now and throughout the year. Did you hear the good news? We are expanding capacity-building efforts for businesses with a series of monthly, educational workshops. 

    The goal of each workshop is to share pathways toward generational wealth for minority-, women-, disabled-owned businesses. Join us this year to:

    • Learn about available resources.
    • Explore opportunities to grow with City contracts.
    • Develop a strategy to pursue business proposals.
    • Network with like-minded businesses.

    Register for this workshop.

    Topic:  How to do Business with Philadelphia Housing Authority

    Presenters: David Walsh, Executive VP, Supply Chain, Philadelphia Housing Authority

    This virtual series is from the Department of Commerce, Office of Economic Opportunity. For additional information, please contact Jennifer Wise at Jennifer.Wise@phila.gov

  • Nov
    13
    Event
    OEO Business Development Series - Income Taxes
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
    Event

    OEO Business Development Series - Income Taxes

    November 13, 2024
    1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 hours

    The City is providing businesses with the resources, education, and knowledge needed to thrive now and throughout the year. Did you hear the good news? We are expanding capacity-building efforts for businesses with a series of monthly, educational workshops. 

    The goal of each workshop is to share pathways toward generational wealth for minority-, women-, disabled-owned businesses. Join us this year to:

    • Learn about available resources.
    • Explore opportunities to grow with City contracts.
    • Develop a strategy to pursue business proposals.
    • Network with like-minded businesses.

    Register for this workshop.

    Topic: Minimizing Your Largest Business Expense - Income Taxes

    Presenters: David Xi, Founder and Managing Partner, Bethel Wealth Guardians

    This virtual series is from the Department of Commerce, Office of Economic Opportunity. For additional information, please contact Jennifer Wise at Jennifer.Wise@phila.gov

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Press Releases

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