CITY OF PHILADELPHIA LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE BUSINESS SERVICES CENTER

The City of Philadelphia's new, revamped website for businesses went live today, the first phase in the creation of an interactive, online Business Services Center that will change the way businesses interact with city government. The new home for business on the City's website can be found at www.phila.gov/business.

“This is yet another example of our determination to make Philadelphia a more business-friendly city,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Whether you're looking to start a new business or grow an existing operation, you'll find everything you need at our online Business Services Center.”

The first phase of the new online Business Services Center is information only, gathering together in one location information that until now has been housed on several departmental websites. Here users will be able to find information according to the type of business that they are, and the type of activity that they are engaged in. The website gives assistance to people trying to start a business, providing guidance on developing a business plan , understanding the City of Philadelphia's business regulations, and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits to operate within Philadelphia. It also contains information on selling goods and services to city government as well as details of financing and incentive resources for which businesses may qualify.

“We are thrilled to be able to share this resource with the business community and provide them better customer service,” said Department of Commerce Acting Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dow.

The next phases of the website, to be launched throughout 2010, will provide a more interactive, user-specific experience for businesses. The City is developing a ‘decision wizard' which will guide users through the business process according to their specific circumstances and needs. Ultimately the Business Services Center will not only provide information on what steps a business needs to take in order to operate in Philadelphia , it will have the capability to complete the necessary transactions online, decreasing the need for users to physically visit the Municipal Services Building to obtain licenses and permits.

As stated by Sara Merriman, city director of policy initiatives at the Commerce Department, in the Philadelphia Business Journal. "It's really about presenting information in a unified way, the functionality we have is that you can sort information by business type.” Merriman was instrumental in leading the Web re-launch program.

"The site will make it easier for businesses to do business in the City of Philadelphia," said Elizabeth Smith, Director of Interative Marketing for Select Greater Philadelphia and team member for the City's Web re-launch. "The site will benefit everyone in the Greater Philadelphia region."

The Business Services Center was developed by the Department of Commerce and the Division of Technology working with representatives of the business community.

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