Philadelphia launches new initiative to help businesses access resources

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The City of Philadelphia announced a new initiative designed to assist diverse businesses by enhancing language access. Through a multilingual video series, the city seeks to help immigrant and multilingual businesses access crucial programs and resources.

By teaming up with the Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of Innovation and Technology, Philadelphia is providing a bilingual video series with personalized assistance, designed to help cultivate an improved business experience.

“North 5th Street in Olney is the most linguistically diverse zip code in the state, boasting a wide range of businesses,” said Stephanie Michel, Executive Director of the North 5th Street Revitalization Project. “The multilingual videos launched by the City of Philadelphia will help our diverse businesses grow and thrive.”

The videos are available on the Department of Commerce’s YouTube channel. A targeted marketing and outreach campaign is being developed to ensure widespread awareness among the immigrant business community.

This initiative is funded by the City of Philadelphia’s Innovation Fund in alignment with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s PHL Open for Business Executive Order.

“Our City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection is home to businesses that speak multiple languages in zip codes across the city. During Immigrant Heritage Month and throughout the year, we are committed to supporting the growth of immigrant businesses that power our economy with essential goods and services,” said Parker in a statement. “We are so proud to launch this video series in nine languages – increasing access to information for multilingual businesses and helping fulfill my promise to create a Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia with access to Economic Opportunity for All of our residents.”

“Philadelphia is open for business. We are excited to share information in multiple languages that is available round-the-clock to reach all business owners,” added Alba Martinez, Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “When City departments work together like this to come up with solutions that can benefit our residents and businesses – especially immigrant and multilingual business owners, it is a win for all.”

The multilingual video series can be viewed on the Department of Commerce’s YouTube channel, and entrepreneurs can contact the MBAT team by calling 215-683-2100 or emailing business@phila.gov for direct services.