Philadelphia Department of Commerce

The Philadelphia Department of Commerce is the umbrella organization for all economic development activity in the city. Coordinating the work of related agencies, including the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and the Redevelopment Authority (RDA), the Department leads efforts to develop business-friendly strategies to help both small businesses and major corporations in Philadelphia thrive.

Philadelphia’s competitive advantages as a business location are based on size, strategic location, relative affordability, cultural and recreational amenities, and its growing strength in key knowledge industries. The City of Philadelphia, the fifth-largest city in the nation with the third largest downtown population, is at the center of the sixth largest metropolitan region. Our region includes the fourth largest retail sales market in the nation, as well as a diverse network of business suppliers and complementary industries.

The Department of Commerce is available to help individuals who want to open a business, or existing businesses that want to locate or expand in Philadelphia. We can help with a variety of issues, including:

• How to get a business license or permit
• How to find land or buildings for expansion
• How to locate financing
• How to access small business assistance