As a core part of our mission to drive community-based economic development, EFDC assists existing and new businesses in accessing government programs, negotiating bureaucratic regulatory processes, and securing a variety of government and private grants and loans. To do this work, EFDC partners with, among others, the Philadelphia Commerce Department on our business district cleaning cleaning initiative and to encourage participation in funding opportunities like their Storefront Improvement Program. EFDC also funded implementation of 19 new cut-in parking spaces along Inn Yard Park and is currently working with HOW Properties and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation on development of a new 35 space parking lot on the 4400 block of Ridge Avenue. Additionally, EFDC has assisted local businesses in obtaining improvement grants from The Merchants Fund, a variety of zoning variances, and permits for signage and sidewalk seating.

Commercial Corridor Cleaning

Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce funds a variety of programs to transform neighborhood commercial corridors into safe, clean, attractive places to do business and to shop. EFDC’s own vision to revitalize the riverfront business district is aligned with the City’s efforts to clean and green areas where businesses are concentrated and attract new businesses to vacant properties and storefronts. As we complete year three of our partnership with Commerce’s Taking Care of Business corridor cleaning initiative, EFDC is looking forward to engaging area businesses in expanding cleaning and greening efforts in the coming years.

Storefront Improvement Grants 

Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce provides funding to businesses and property owners to assist them in making attractive, pedestrian friendly improvements to their storefronts. The program can reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of eligible improvements to a maximum of $10,000 for a single commercial property, or up to $15,000 for a multiple-address or corner business property. EFDC has assisted several area businesses in obtaining storefront matching grants and is currently working with other property owners who have expressed interest applying for funding. 

East Falls Business Association

In 2021, the East Falls Development Corporation proudly reconvened our East Falls Business Association – as a space for our entrepreneurs to meet, support and coordinate with one another as well as determine ways that EFDC can spark business district wide positive change, and more. If you are interested in learning more about the Business Association and getting involved, please email michelle.feldman@eastfallspa.com.