Category: Business

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Philadelphia COVID -19 Small Business Relief Fund

Apply Here
The Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Fund is designed to provide immediate relief – in the form of grants and zero-interest loans – to Philadelphia businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

The goals of the fund  include:

  • Helping small businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis
  • Retaining employment and helping small businesses continue to pay employees
  • Helping businesses avoid predatory lenders
  • Maintaining the provision of goods and services for Philadelphia’s residents

The Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Fund includes the following three programs:
Microenterprise Grant
  • Annual revenue under $500,000
  • $5,000 Grant
  • Signed Tax Return to confirm annual revenue.
  • A description of the impact of COVID-19 on your business, and your recovery plan.
Small Biz Grant
  • Annual revenue between $500k & $3Million
  • Up to $25,000 Grant
  • Signed Tax Return.
  • 2019 Financial Statements.
  • Verification of cash flow needs.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • A description of the impact of COVID-19 on your business, and your recovery plan.
Small Biz Zero-Interest Loan
  • Annual revenue between $3Million & $5Million
  • $25,000 – $100,000 Loan
  • Signed Tax Return.
  • 2019 Financial Statements.
  • Verification of cash flow needs.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • A description of the impact of COVID-19 on your business, and your recovery plan.
  • No collateral requirements.
To apply for assistance please complete the application below. There is one application for all three programs. Your request will be directed to the appropriate program based on your annual revenue. Please refer to the chart above for the program details and the information you will need to complete your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Please be patient as we expect a high volume of requests.

The Review Committee will consider the following priorities when awarding grants and loans:

  • The number of jobs that the business sustains during a normal business cycle (pre-COVID-19 levels).
  • The business demonstrates that it has lost a significant share (50% or more) of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The business demonstrates a strong chance of remaining open post COVID-19.
  • The business has experienced loss of revenue from other situations in addition to COVID-19, such as recent public works projects (i.e. water main breaks, utility repairs, street closures).
  • The business provides jobs to low-income individuals and/or is located in a zip code with high poverty.
  • The business has operated consistently for two years or more.
  • For sole proprietors/independent contractors, priority will be given to those who are located in zip codes with high poverty and/or those that sustain multiple sub-contractors during normal business (pre-COVID-19 levels).

Based on the applicant pool, the Review Committee may choose to add further priorities or change eligibility criteria in the subsequent weeks.

If you need assistance completing the application or any other questions about doing business in Philadelphia, contact the Office of Business Services at 215-683-2100 or Business@Phila.gov.

Si necesita ayuda para completar la solicitud o cualquier otra pregunta sobre hacer negocios en Filadelfia, comuníquese con la Oficina de Servicios de Negocios al (215) 683-2100 o Business@Phila.gov.

如果您需要协助以完成申请或其他任何有关在费城经商的问题，请致电215-683-2100或 发邮件Business@Phila.gov与商业服务办公室联系。
Apply Here
Contact Ellie Vamos, Commercial Corridor Manager, if you have any questions.
(215)743-6580×105 or evamos.fcdc@gmail.com.
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February Frankford Zoning Meeting

The Frankford NAC zoning meeting was held on February 13th at Second Baptist Church.  The following cases were heard:

4733 Leiper Street – Applicant seeking a variance for a five family dwelling. No fire suppression system. (Code states that anything over 3 units must have fire suppression system.) Upgrades were done without permits being pulled – Opposed

4733 Leiper Street

 

5627 Hegerman Street – . Applicant failed to attend 3 times. They have to reapply – Case dismissed

5627 Hegerman Street

4735,31,39 Duffield Street – Combine OPA accounts to be used as personal parking. Continued

4735,31,39 Duffield Street

 

The next Frankford NAC zoning meeting will be held on March 12th at 7 PM at Second Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street.
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Frankford NAC Votes No to Car Repair Shop

The Frankford NAC zoning meeting was held on January 9th, the following cases were heard:

5343 Horrocks Street – legalization of a duplex. Non-opposition

5343 Horrocks Street

4260 Tackawanna Street – car repair shop-  highly opposed. Operating without a business license, illegal spray painting and cars dumped onto Cloud Street.

4260 Tackawanna Street

 

The next Frankford NAC zoning meeting will be held on February 13th at 7 PM at Second Baptist Church, 1801 Meadow Street.

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Frankford CDC Gets Funding for Paul Street

State Senator Christine Tartaglione visited the headquarters of the Frankford Community Development Corporation (CDC) on January 14th to deliver a $54,610 state grant that will help the CDC to stabilize and rehabilitate a fire-damaged mixed-use property in the heart of the local commercial district.

“The CDC has made great strides in recent years to revitalize the Frankford Avenue corridor, remove blight, and promote the growth of new businesses. This public investment will enable the CDC to continue its work, which has had a tremendous positive impact throughout the community,” Senator Tartaglione said.

The grant was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Share Account program, which reallocates a portion of the funds generated by casinos that operate slot machines within Philadelphia.

“The Local Share Account grant will allow the Frankford CDC to stabilize what is now a hazardous and blighted site at 4663 Paul Street,” said Kimberly Washington, Esq., executive director of the Frankford CDC. “This vacant property is the last remaining site on the block in need of improvements, making it vital to the Frankford CDC’s goals to revitalize Frankford Avenue as set out in its Reimagining Margaret-Orthodox initiative.”

4663 Paul Street shown before the fire

On October 26, 2018, flames ravaged the three-story storefront, which is just two doors from the Frankford CDC office and less than a block from SEPTA’s bustling Market-Frankford El. The multi-alarm blaze largely gutted the property, which was being used as an unlicensed boarding house. It burned for several hours and spread to a neighboring building, causing severe damage to the second and third floors of both structures.

Frankford CDC bought the property last fall and will use the new grant funding for the first phase of its rehabilitation, including cleanout, demolition, framing, roof replacement, and floor stabilization. These measures will address any immediate safety issues and prevent structural damage to neighboring buildings.

The non-profit CDC will seek to raise additional funding to complete final renovations that will include commercial space on the ground floor, as well as four affordable housing units on the second and third floors.