790.9232 Commerce Programs For Small Businesses

User Manual: 790.9232

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PROGRAMS & SERVICES

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Department of Commerce is the

umbrella organization for all economic

development activity in Philadelphia.

Our mission is to create an

economic environment

throughout Philadelphia that is

conducive to business success &

job creation.

The Commerce Department’s Oce of

Business Services is the City’s one-stop-

shop for all business-related services. Our

team of Business Services Managers are

assigned throughout geographic sections of

the City.

• Assistance with starting, expanding

or relocating a business.

• Help with licensing, inspections, and

permit requirements.

• Identifying nancing options and

incentives for your business.

Oce of Business services provides

assistance in over 150 languages.

Hotline:

+ (215) 683–2100

1 ON 1 ASSISTANCE FROM

A BUSINESS SPECIALIST

The Department of Commerce partners

with a number of local non-prots who

specialize in providing classroom training,

workshops and individualized support to

aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Several

of these organizations also oer loans to

small businesses. Our partners are:

Philadelphia Industrial Development

Corporation:

+ (215) 496–8020

Entrepreneur Works:

+ (215) 545–3100

FINANTA:

+ (267) 236–7000

The Enterprise Center:

+ (215) 895–4000

Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians:

+ (215) 557–2626

Women’s Business Development Center:

+ (215) 790–9232

Women’s Opportunities Resources Center:

+ (215) 564–5500

BUSINESS

TRAINING & LENDING

Our Online Business Support Center

phila.gov/Business – oers customized

information for your business needs.

When you visit our site, a pop-up box will

appear. This interactive wizard asks specic

questions about your business so that we

provide the most relevant resources to you.

The website includes information about:

• Registering your business

• Writing a business plan

• Licensing & Regulations

• Permits & Certicates

• Financing & Incentives

• Locations & Zoning

• Tax Obligations

• Hiring Employees

• International Trade

• Doing business with the City

ONLINE

BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER

Smart City. Smart Choice.

IN BUSINESS

Department of Commerce

One Parkway Building

1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19102

+ (215) 683-2100

+ phila.gov/commerce

+ phila.gov/business

10,000 Small Businesses Program (PHL

10KSB) oers a competitive, highly

interactive, no-cost educational program

for growth-stage businesses. Loans are

also available through the program. PHL

10KSB is a partnership between the City of

Philadelphia, Goldman Sachs Foundation,

the Community College of Philadelphia,

Philadelphia Industrial Development

Corporation and others. For more

information:

+ ccp.edu/10KSB + (215) 683-2139

PHL10KSB GOLDMAN SACHS

10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES

A Business Improvement District (BID)

is an organization that serves a specic

geographic area to ensure cleanliness

and physical improvements. These

organizations are primarily funded through

an assessment that is billed to businesses

within the BID. A formal process must be

followed to create a BID. The Commerce

Department is ready to assist businesses

and neighborhood stakeholders who

are considering starting a Business

Improvement District.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS

IMPROVEMENTDISTRICTS

The Storefront Improvement Program

provides grants to beautify storefronts

on eligible commercial corridors. The

City provides reimbursements of up to

$8,000 for single address properties

and $12,000 for larger, multi-address, or

corner properties.

Additionallly, the InStore program

provides forgivable loans to eligible

commercial property or business

owners to renovate commercial

interiors. These loans range from

$15,000 to $50,000 each.

STOREFRONT

IMPROVEMENT GRANTS

The Oce of Economic Opportunity

(OEO) assists Minority, Women and

Disabled-Owned Enterprises (M/W/DSBEs)

with increasing access to procurement

opportunities at the City and beyond. The

City is committed to ensuring that at least

25% of contracts for the City are fullled by

M/W/DSBEs. OEO has compiled an online

database – or registry - of certied M/W/

DSBEs. Companies that register with OEO

can benet from the City’s eorts

to increase participation of M/W/DSBEs

in Philadelphia.

ENSURING ACCESS FOR

MINORITY & WOMEN

OWNED BUSINESSES

The Commerce SafeCam Program

encourages businesses and property

owners within neighborhood commercial

corridors to install surveillance cameras,

making these areas safer for shoppers and

the community. The program reimburses

owners of commercial buildings and

businesses up to 50% of the total cost of

eligible improvements, for a maximum

reimbursement of $3,000 for a single

commercial property. The digital camera

security system must have the ability for

remote login by the Philadelphia Police

Department and be installed on the outside

of the building.

COMMERCE

SECURITY CAMERA

GRANTS