Dedication to Small Business
Last week, CCPA’s Executive Committee was present at a meeting of the leadership of the Commerce Departments economic development constituency. The purpose was a dialogue about the current fiscal environment and its impact on small business.
Andrew Altman, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Economic Development and Director of Commerce presented a special opportunity for business associations and Community Development Corporations to better understand the budget crisis and to have a voice in strategic planning over the next 5 years.
Mr. Altman explained the re-balancing of the 2009 budget to solve the 5-year $1 billion shortfall, and presented the additional $1.04 billion dollar deficit for the 2010, 5-year budget. Officials from the commerce department explained that while Philadelphia will receive federal stimulus dollars, it will not help with our current financial burden.
Kevin Dow, Deputy Director of Commerce for Neighborhood and Business Services provided an overview of his department’s mission: to provide business and neighborhood-based organizations with reliable and comprehensive problem solving and economic development consulting. The Business Services Unit is a transformation of the now defunct Mayor’s Business Action Team. The BSU serves as the primary entry point for small businesses and is responsible for solving all small business problems. Each area of the city has a dedicated representative.
You can reach them at:
Office of Business Services
1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215.683.2100
Amidst the bad economic climate, and the unfortunate outlook for city services, there is opportunity. The staff of the commerce department seems eager to disseminate information and exchange ideas. In fact, they need and want our ideas to help them shape our future government.
This is where you come in. Mr. Altman asked for ideas. If you had to choose (and we do), which is the lesser of many evils? Which services would you be willing to give up? Which tax would you be willing to raise to keep city services, to keep or add services for small businesses?
CCPA is grateful that we were invited to participate. So help us. Let us know if you have ideas. Send us your suggestions for the commerce department and the office of Business Services, and we will collect them and hand them over to Mr. Altman.
Send your ideas and comments to ccpa@centercityproprietors.org
Looking forward to a bright future,
CCPA Executive Committee
Linda Karp, Karp Marketing
David Carter, Scramjet Strategies
Joe Wolf, Table-31 Restaurant
Paul Steinke, Reading Terminal Market
Executive Director, Benjamin Frank
