PHILADELPHIA – Today, City officials shared significant program expansion plans following Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s One Philly budget that more than doubles PHL Taking Care of Business (TCB) Program’s investment to increase clean commercial corridors, expand tree care efforts and employ more Philadelphians. The PHL Taking Care of Business Expansion Expo, led by the Department of Commerce, included information sessions for cleaning companies and organizations citywide to learn more about how they can participate in program expansion opportunities. The Expo also included an open house for community leaders to learn about resources and programs that are available to assist in maintaining clean neighborhoods citywide. The PHL Taking Care of Business is integral to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s Clean and Green agenda. Images from today’s PHL Taking Care of Business Expansion Expo available here.

Expansion Highlights:

  • Employment Growth: The TCB program will hire an additional 200 Philadelphia residents.
  • Increased Coverage: The number of commercial corridors served will rise from 129 to 160, broadening the impact across the city in partnership with neighborhood-based nonprofits and cleaning companies.
  • Enhanced Environmental Efforts: In partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the program will clean an additional 500 vacant lots. In partnership with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, TCB will also increase tree planting and maintenance efforts on commercial corridors.

“I’m proud of the community engagement efforts at the PHL Taking Care of Business Expansion Expo today with our tremendous Department of Commerce and so many community leaders and organizations,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “PHL TCB is a program that has worked well ever since I created it when I served in City Council and expanding it to serve more neighborhoods is a core part of my One Philly budget that is now law. We will keep expanding this dynamic program, cleaning more commercial corridors, and creating economic opportunities for more Philadelphians.”

“Our mission at the Department of Commerce is to be catalyst of inclusive economic growth for the City of Philadelphia. That includes revitalizing commercial corridors through the cleaning and greening efforts of our PHL Taking Care of Business Program,” said Alba Martinez, Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “Since PHL TCB began in 2020, the program has grown from 49 to now serving 129 commercial corridors citywide. Thanks to Mayor Parker’s One Philly budget, we are excited to keep maintaining commercial corridors for businesses to grow as they provide essential goods and services for residents.”

“Congratulations to TCB on its expansion plans following Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s One Philly budget,” said Carlton Williams, Director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. “TCB has been a great partner in the One Philly, United Citywide Cleaning and Greening Program. The hard work of the TCB organizations and cleaning ambassadors along commercial corridors has contributed to over 6,000 blocks being cleaned in just one month into the program. Their work has made a tremendous impact in neighborhoods and commercial corridors.”

The PHL Taking Care of Business Expansion Expo included panel discussions on the role of cleaning companies, ways for community-based organizations to get involved, and resources available to support these efforts. Furthermore, the event included resources tables offering valuable resources for community leaders, cleaning companies and organizations from:

  • City of Philadelphia
    • Department of Commerce, Mayor’s Business Action Team
    • Department of Commerce, PHL Taking Care of Business Program Info
    • Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Tree Philly
    • Sanitation, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee & SWEEP Unit
  • Community Life Improvement Project (CLIP)
  • Pennsylvania CareerLink
  • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
  • Philadelphia VIP
  • TCB Cleaning Companies
    • Ready, Willing & Able
    • One Day at a Time, Inc.
    • ACAM Management
    • TWB Cleaning Contractors
    • Watts Facility Solutions

“We are dedicated to reducing waste, increasing recycling, expanding tree care and working towards a more sustainable future for all Philadelphians,” said Denis Murphy, Deputy Commerce Director, PHL Taking Care of Business. “We are making meaningful progress in our collaborative efforts to advance Clean and Green efforts in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. When we add new areas to the PHL Taking Care of Business program, we will request proposals and schedule a program briefing.”

Under Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s leadership, the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives is developing a comprehensive strategy that combines the strengths of our city to confront the challenges of litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti head-on for a cleaner, sustainable future. The Department of Commerce’s PHL Taking Care of Business (TCB) Clean Corridors Program is integral to these efforts. More information about the PHL TCB program accomplishments available here.

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