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
2016 Storefront Challenge Nominations due Sept. 15th
Storeowners throughout Philadelphia put their best face forward every day. They’re a big part of what makes your neighborhood feel like home. Nominate your favorite for the 2016 Storefront Challenge, a citywide contest recognizing Philly’s best storefront façade improvement projects! Any store that has taken the initiative to improve their... Learn More
Revitalizing Tacony One Storefront at a Time
Commerce Director Harold T. Epps will continue his ongoing tour of the City’s many commercial corridors tomorrow when he visits Tacony and checks out businesses along Torresdale Avenue. To find out more about what it’s like to do businesses in Tacony, we talked to Alex Balloon of the Tacony CDC. What... Learn More
City announces lowest unemployment for month of June since 2007
On Friday, Mayor Kenney and Commerce Director Harold T. Epps announced that Philadelphia’s unemployment rate decreased to 6.9%–the lowest unemployment rate for the month of June since 2007. “During the first six months of my Administration, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that Philadelphians in all neighborhoods can be part... Learn More
Small Business Spotlight: Message Agency with Marcus Iannozzi
Message Agency is a communications firm that focuses on serving charitable organizations. Unlike other businesses that have grown recently, Message Agency has a long, rich history as a startup in Philadelphia. To investigate Message Agency’s success over the years, we chatted with founder Marcus Iannozzi.
Mayor Kenney boasts Commerce achievements in recent Huffington Post piece
On Monday, Mayor Kenney penned a guest-post titled “Philadelphia’s Winning Formula for Small-Business Growth,” for the Huffington Post's "Whats Working: Small Business" blog.
4 social media marketing tips for your small business
Philadelphia small businesses have the opportunity to connect with a strong online community through social media--a low-cost, extremely effective marketing tool when used efficiently.
Remediation of a Dangerous Condition Requires a Building Permit
A Building Permit is required to perform reconstruction work on a building that has experienced deterioration of a portion of its major structural elements, such as floor joists, exterior walls, or roofing elements.
Find local loans through the Philadelphia Business Lending Network
The Capital Consortium is a group of nonprofit and for profit commercial lenders who work together with the Philadelphia Department of Commerce to improve access to capital for small businesses.
Business Tax Basics
The Department of Revenue imposes various taxes that must be filed and paid by businesses that are operated and/or located in Philadelphia.
Hot Works Permit
Operation Permits are issued for the regulation of the use and transport of certain hazardous materials, equipment and activities. The Department of License and Inspections works in conjunction with other City Agencies in the issuance of Operation Permits. The maximum time period a Hot Works Permit is valid is one year.... Learn More
Demolition Contractor License
A Demolition Contractor license is required of anyone removing structural elements for the purpose of removing the entire structure. This license must be renewed annually and successful applications must specify up-to-date insurance and tax compliance.