How We Celebrated MLK Day 2017
This year, STEMcityPHL led the Department of Commerce in a Martin Luther King Day service project that explored the future of urban farming in Philadelphia. Volunteers from City government, Americorps and the Strawberry Mansion community came together at Dr. Ethel Allen School to help prepare for a new after school STEM... Learn More
CDC Tax Credit Lottery Application is due January 12, 2017
In January, Philadelphia Department of Revenue will hold application lottery for business taxpayers interested in applying for the Community Development Corporation (CDC) Tax Credit. This program offers a tax credit to businesses that contribute to economic development efforts. Businesses receive a tax credit against their Business Income and Receipts Tax... Learn More
Commerce’s 2016 Highlights
It has been a busy year for the Department of Commerce. Here are some highlights from 2016: Major Business Attraction and Retention Success Aramark, Five Below and Yards Brewing Company all announced plans to keep their headquarters in Philadelphia and move to larger locations within the city. Vanguard announced plans... Learn More
Holiday Deals & Promotions
This holiday season Philadelphia residents and visitors can find special deals and promotions in neighborhoods throughout the city. PPA Free Parking Now through the end of the year, you can park at the PPA garages listed below for only $8 on Saturdays and Sundays, between 11AM. and 5PM. Note: To receive the... Learn More
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 26 is Small Business Saturday – a national event celebrating America’s small businesses. In 2015, 95 million people went out to shop on Small Business Saturday, and this year I want Philadelphia to help increase that number. Making purchases at local shops has a tangible impact on our economy.... Learn More
Business is Booming in Chinatown
Commerce Director Harold T. Epps will continue his ongoing tour of the City’s many commercial corridors on Friday, November 18 when he visits Chinatown and checks out some of their businesses. To find out more about what it’s like to do businesses in Chinatown, we talked to Samuel Chueh from... Learn More
National Apprenticeship Week
The 2nd Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is right around the corner, happening November 14-20! National Apprenticeship Week, designated by the U.S. Department of Labor, is an opportunity for the apprenticeship community to tell their story and an invitation to businesses, career seekers, students and others to learn about the... Learn More
Growing Philadelphia’s Talent Pipeline: Lessons Learned in Germany
Learn more about Philadelphia’s Talent Development initiatives in this semi-regular blog series. Last month, Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce had the opportunity to visit Frankfurt and Berlin to learn more about Germany’s premier dual-vocational training models and world-renowned apprenticeship programs. Highlights of the trip included visits to the Provadis School of... Learn More
Venturize: Get Help Navigating the Lending Landscape
The following post has been adapted from content provided by Opportunity Finance Network, a partner of the Department of Commerce. In the wake of the recession there has been a rise in the number of online lenders offering small business loans, many of which promise owners “quick and easy” cash... Learn More
Fifth StartupPHL Call for Ideas Announced
The City’s platform to fund projects that grow Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, StartupPHL Call for Ideas, is looking for your good ideas. PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Jim Kenney and Commerce Director Harold T. Epps announced that StartupPHL is now accepting applications for the fifth round of Call for Ideas, a grant program to... Learn More
Department of Commerce Returns from Trade and Investment Mission to Europe
A delegation led by Philadelphia Commerce Director Harold T. Epps recently returned from multi-day trade and investment mission to Europe, with stops in Germany, France and Portugal. Members of the delegation began arriving in Germany on September 24 and the final day of the mission was September 30. The group... Learn More
Growing Philadelphia’s Talent Pipeline: STEMcityPHL
Learn more about Philadelphia’s Talent Development Initiatives in this semi-regular blog series. STEMcityPHL is a campaign to build public will for excellent STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and opportunities, ensuring that all Philadelphians can participate in the economy of today and tomorrow. Launched by the Mayor’s Office of Education... Learn More
Small Business Spotlight: Printfresh with Amy Voloshin
Started in 2006, Printfresh is a fashion prints studio housed in a renovated factory in Olde Kensington. The studio boasts many notable clients, including Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, Mango, American Eagle, Zara, H&M, and more. To learn more about the studio’s success, we chatted with cofounder and creative director Amy... Learn More
Is your business prepared for an emergency? These free workshops will help!
September is National Preparedness Month, so there is no better time for your business to do some emergency planning! National Preparedness Month was created by FEMA to encourage people to prepare for emergencies and disasters, whether they are personal or on a larger scale that impacts an entire community. The... Learn More
Philly Free Streets is September 24th, 8am – 1pm
Temporary street closures from Front & South Streets to Martin Luther King Drive invites people to walk, play, and bike in the street. The inaugural Philly Free Streets event encompasses a 7+ mile route with free, family-friendly fitness activities and educational programming about the City’s waterways, public art, architecture, environment,... Learn More