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Friday, November 13, 2009

City Creates Online Business Services Center

Here's the press release:

Friday, November 13, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE BUSINESS SERVICES CENTER

New website another step towards changing the way Philadelphia does business

 

PHILADELPHIA, November 13, 2009 — 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.

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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About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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