MED Week
October 21, 2024
Recap: Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2024
From October 7 through 11, the City of Philadelphia hosted the 40th annual Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, providing diverse business owners with resources to help them grow as well as reward business owners and entrepreneurs who continue to thrive, boosting Philadelphia’s business scene. This year’s theme was “Investing in the Future: 40 Years
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October 16, 2024
PIDC Community Capital Announces $4 Million Grant From Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:October 15, 2024 CONTACT:Kevin PIDC Community Capital Announces $4 Million Grant From Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s Foundation The Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) arm of Philadelphia’s economic development corporation is thrilled to receive the unexpected gift to support its mission of driving growth across Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA — Today, PIDC — Philadelphia’s public-private economic
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September 24, 2024
Meet Kersy Azocar, Cornerstone of PIDC’s Business Builder Workshops en Español
In October 2021, PIDC introduced Business Builder Workshops en Español, Spanish-language workshops led by Hispanic and Latino(a) professionals. These much needed business support workshops address a wide variety of business challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino(a) business owners. To date, PIDC has held 40+ Business Builder Workshops en Español, and it would not have been
Read MoreScholarship
September 24, 2024
PIDC Announces Recipients of the 2024 PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development
PIDC is proud to announce the sixth-round recipients of the PIDC-D’Alessio Scholarship for Urban Development. The scholarship was launched in 2019 to support graduate students at Philadelphia schools seeking to pursue a career in urban development and finance. The scholarship was created by PIDC in recognition of M. Walter D’Alessio’s decades of commitment and leadership
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September 23, 2024
How Queen & Rook Mastered the Game of Small Business Success
In the age of smartphones, streaming services, and video games, it’s easy to forget the charm of face-to-face interactions and the simple joy of sitting down to play a board game. But there’s a place in Philadelphia that is keeping the beauty of board games alive: Queen & Rook Game Cafe. Queen & Rook opened
Read MoreBusiness Tips & Resources
September 20, 2024
How to Protect Your Philly Small Business from Predatory Lending Practices
Funding is critical to the success and scalability of small businesses. Business owners need access to adequate funding for a variety of needs, including payroll, utilities, inventory purchases, and technology to name a few. Because financing is necessary for business growth, bad actors use predatory lending practices to take advantage of hard working small business
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September 19, 2024
PIDC Announces It Has Received A $55 Million Allocation In Federal New Markets Tax Credits
The 9th award for PIDC Community Capital for a total of $473 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocations over 16 years For Immediate Release: September 19, 2024 Contact: Kevin Lessard, PIDCSVP, Marketing Communications & Government Today, PIDC—Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation—announced its CDFI subsidiary, PIDC Community Capital, was awarded $55 million in New
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August 29, 2024
Looking Back At PIDC’s COVID-19 Response
PIDC has a 65-year history of leading Philadelphia’s economy through periods of economic change. In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the city to restrict in-person activities to curb the disease’s spread, PIDC promptly sprung into action, marshaling our capital to assist businesses in navigating an unparalleled crisis. PIDC developed the Restart PHL Loan
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August 29, 2024
How to Build an Effective Advisory Board for Small Businesses
Small businesses are becoming the world’s most growing type of business whether people are selling digital products, services, sweet treats, or clothing. The journey of starting and operating a small business is exciting yet challenging. You wear many hats, acting as CEO, accountant, marketer, sales representative, customer service agent—the list goes on. As a business
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August 29, 2024
Succession Planning Strategies for Philadelphia Small Business Owners
Philadelphia’s small businesses are the backbone of the city’s economy, providing jobs, contributing to local culture, and driving community development. However, as business owners approach retirement or consider stepping away from their day-to-day roles, the question of what comes next becomes critical. Without a clear succession plan, even the most successful business can face challenges
Read MoreBlack-Owned
August 29, 2024
Shop PHL: Black-Owned Businesses
Shopping at Black-owned businesses is a powerful way to support economic equality in your own neighborhood. Approximately 40 percent of Philadelphians are Black or African American, according to the 2020 census, yet they only account for 5.4 percent of businesses in the city. At PIDC, we’re continually working with our partners to increase that number
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July 18, 2024
How to register as a minority-, woman-, or disabled-owned business in Philadelphia
Obtaining your certifications as a woman, minority, or disabled business enterprise (M/W/DSBE) can help grow your business and open new opportunities including government contracts, procurement programs, and networking opportunities. PIDC supports entrepreneurs and fosters a community that benefits Philadelphians from all backgrounds. That’s why we put together this guide to help you understand and navigate
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July 18, 2024
11 Low-Cost Marketing Ideas for Small Business Owners
Marketing is critical to the success of your small business. It is often a prospective customer’s first impression and helps your business build awareness, attract customers, and drive sales. Effective marketing allows you to contend with competitors by establishing a strong brand and displaying what makes you unique. Small business owners often neglect marketing because
Read MoreWalt D'allesio
July 3, 2024
Remembering Walt D’Alessio: A Legacy of Vision, Dedication and Partnership
Updated 8/29/24 Celebrate the wonderful life of Walter D’Alessio. A memorial service honoring the life, legacy, and impact of Walt will take place on September 26th at 4pm. More information can be found here. Dear PIDC Stakeholders, It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of the passing of Walter D’Alessio,
Read MoreLGBTQ
June 26, 2024
Get to Know IBA, Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
The population of LGBTQ+-owned businesses and organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area continues to grow, and resources for businesses and organizations are needed more than ever. PIDC partner Independence Business Alliance (IBA) serves as Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ business resource hub, helping bring to life the dreams and aspirations of entrepreneurs in the LGBTQ+ community. We asked
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June 26, 2024
Elevating PIDC’s Queer Employees & Allies During Pride Month
June is Pride Month, a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer pride. PIDC is committed to fostering a workplace culture where diverse talent can flourish and employees, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance, feel valued, accepted, and supported to succeed at work. With a team that mirrors the city we support,
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June 26, 2024
Shop PHL: LGBTQ-owned
Looking for ways to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia? One of the best ways to do that is by shopping at LGBTQ-owned businesses. By choosing to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses, you are contributing to a more equitable and vibrant city. PIDC is proud to highlight some of our clients offering products and services
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June 25, 2024
Driving Growth Throughout Philadelphia: PIDC’s 2023 Annual Review
We’re pleased to present PIDC’s 2023 Annual Review, highlighting our commitment to driving economic growth and fostering equitable development across Philadelphia last year. Despite the challenges posed by the global landscape, we have remained resilient, adaptive, and proactive in our efforts to support small businesses, spur real estate developments, facilitate lending, and administer grants for
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