PHILADELPHIA — Today, the Department of Commerce highlights key achievements of the Taking Care of Business (TCB) Program from the first year of the Parker Administration. Championed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, the TCB program has grown from serving 49 commercial corridors at its inception in 2020 to 155 commercial corridors currently, reflecting a more than threefold expansion. TCB funds community-based nonprofits to sweep sidewalks and remove litter within neighborhood commercial corridors while creating employment opportunities for local residents with workforce training. View the TCB program directory of current commercial corridor cleaning areas by clicking here. View the TCB expansion timeline from the first year of Parker Administration by clicking here.
“I promised on Day One to make Philadelphia the Safest, Cleanest, Greenest city with Access to Economic Opportunity for All. That includes tackling challenges of litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti head-on for a more sustainable future,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The Taking Care of Business program has been instrumental to championing our Clean and Green efforts. The litter conditions on the commercial corridors maintained by the Taking Care of Business program have been improving annually. As One Philly, our partnerships across the city are helping residents see, touch and feel the meaningful changes we are continuing to implement for all.”
“Our city’s commercial corridors provide essential jobs, goods and services for Philadelphians. TCB cleaning ambassadors are on the front lines maintaining these business corridors. In addition to sweeping up litter, they interact with businesses and residents,” said Alba Martinez, Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “Over 900,000 residents live within a quarter mile walk of the areas being served by the TCB program. In 2024 alone, 177,302 bags of litter have been collected by TCB crews. TCB is a critical investment in litter reduction efforts and meaningful employment opportunities for local residents who live in neighborhoods served by this program.”
“Businesses on commercial corridors throughout the city frequently express how TCB contributes to their business success. They recognize that clean sidewalks bring more customers, and that the presence of friendly uniformed Cleaning Ambassadors helps put people at ease,” said Denis Murphy, Deputy Commerce Director, Philadelphia Taking Care of Business. “Thank you to the City’s Sanitation personnel for supporting our dedicated TCB crews with trash bag removal while educating businesses and residents about their shared responsibility for keeping sidewalks clean. We are making meaningful progress in our collaborative efforts to advance Clean and Green efforts.”
By the numbers
As of today, since Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s inauguration, notable impacts of the Taking Care of Business program include:
- From 116 commercial corridors covering 93 miles in January 2024
- To 155 commercial corridors covering 136 miles currently.
- From 249 cleaning ambassadors in January 2024
- To 324 cleaning ambassadors currently.
- From 200 trees planted in January 2024
- To 369 current trees planted in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and maintained by TCB cleaning ambassadors. 150 TCB cleaning ambassadors trained in tree care and green skills currently.
- 39 organizations contracted funded through TCB currently.
- 384 vacant lots near commercial corridors are to be cleared, fenced and maintained in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) LandCare program.
“Thanks to TCB, we have been able to hire more staff and ambassadors while also increasing their pay. Our close relationship with our ambassadors is invaluable; they are community members who live here and genuinely care about our neighborhood. Our TCB cleaning ambassadors are well-known throughout the neighborhood,” said Stephanie Michel, Executive Director, Olney Community Collaborative. “TCB affords the cleaning crew with a lot of opportunities for professional training, but also to form connections with their teammates, the business owners and the residents. I am pleased that with the additional funding we’ve received, our cleaning coverage and hours of service have expanded in partnership with TWB Cleaning Contractors.”
“The transformation is wonderful —residents and business owners are now more mindful of managing their waste, leading to cleaner sidewalks, less street debris, and a safer environment for all,” said Michelle Feldman, Executive Director, East Falls Development Corporation. “With the TCB crew, we are gaining a deeper understanding of our community while building stronger, trusting relationships with East Falls residents and businesses. Together, we are creating meaningful change and shaping a vibrant future for the neighborhood.”
Annual litter reduction improvements
Annually, litter index observations and scoring are conducted to measure litter levels on the commercial corridors maintained by the Taking Care of Business program. A score of 1 means little to no litter, and a score of 4 means very high litter. The annual litter improvements per scoring include:
- 2.0 average litter index on TCB corridors in 2022.
- 1.68 average litter index on TCB corridors in 2023.
- 1.54 average litter index on TCB corridors in 2024.
“TCB Cleaning Ambassadors and organizations have a consistent presence in commercial corridors citywide, including at Broad and Erie, on North 5th Street, on Woodland Avenue, in West Oak Lane, on 52nd Street, Germantown and Chelten, on Rising Sun and more,” said Yvonne Boye, Deputy Commerce Director, Office of Neighborhood Economic Development. “Many organizations received funding to add services like power washing and to increase service hours, ensuring that their expanded areas are maintained on weekends and evenings. These expansions enhanced their ability to address litter conditions on commercial corridors, including those that are highly visible and have high foot traffic. We are grateful for the tremendous efforts of our partner organizations in making our commercial areas cleaner, more welcoming places for businesses, residents, and shoppers.”
“I’m not just cleaning the streets in Kensington; I’m making a difference in our local community. The change from when I started, to now, is outstanding. We’ve seen a lot more people going to work, getting their kids to school, and just living their day to day lives,” said Daniel Marshall, TCB Cleaning Manager, Impact Services. “Out on the streets, I see so many people who know me from a past life, and they congratulate me. They see the changes I’ve made in myself and in the community, and they’re proud of me. The TCB program brings me joy.”
Upcoming expansion updates
- Increased Coverage: The number of commercial corridors served will rise to more than 170, broadening the impact across the city in partnership with neighborhood-based nonprofits and cleaning companies.
- Employment Growth: The TCB program will provide employment for more than 80 additional Philadelphia residents.
- Enhanced Environmental Efforts: In partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) LandCare program, vacant lots will continue to be cleared, fenced, and maintained. In partnership with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, TCB will also increase tree planting engagement and maintenance efforts on commercial corridors.
“Street cleaning is very important for the quality of life in our neighborhoods and commercial corridors,” said Jerome Johnson, TCB Cleaning Ambassador, African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA). “With an increase in crew members taking care of additional areas, we really could change this whole city.”
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 Taking Care of Business (TCB) Program is integral to these efforts.
View the TCB program directory of current commercial corridor cleaning areas by clicking here. View the TCB expansion timeline from the first year of Parker Administration by clicking here. The Department of Commerce will release additional program expansion updates in the near future.
Photos of the TCB program are available here.