Archive
Philadelphia/Camden One-Stop Capital Shop
1. Type of Facility
This state-of-the-art facility consists of partner organizations which address the financial and technical needs of small business. The City/Federal/Private Sector partnership initiative is a true one-stop shop concept that will provide entrepreneurs with all the tools necessary to start, sustain or expand their business. This state of the art facility consists of over 15 service partner organizations which address the financial and technical needs of small business.
2. Participating Agencies
The following service partners are committed to serving at the Center; Commerce Bank, CoreStates Bank, First Sterling Bank, Jefferson Bank, Meridian Bank, MidLantic Bank, The Money Store Investment Company, PNC Bank, Regent National Bank, United Bank of Philadelphia, Bell Atlantic Corporation, Ben Franklin Technology Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania, The Capital to People Fund, Center City District, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, Philadelphia Minority Business Development Agency, The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Women's Business Development Center, Women's Opportunity Resource Center, Philadelphia Commercial Development Center, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, the City of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections, and the U. S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business development Agencies, Technical Assistants Inc., and the U. S. Small Business Administration.
3. Type of Service Offered
The technical tools at the Center enhance an entrepreneur's ability to : perform market research, draft a functional business plan, access capital, obtain procurement opportunities, submit quotes on an Electronic Data System, attend seminars, apply for licenses and much more.
4. Facility Design/Equipment/Staffing/Financing
The Center was an outgrowth of Philadelphia/Camden being established as an empowerment zone in December 1994. Funding comes from a variety of public/private sources. The Center has reached out to the community to fund some of the daily operations. The Center is now also receiving public funds through the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department.
The center will provide "on-line" modem access to each designated satellite site located in each of the Empowerment Communities. This service directly interfaces with the Center's main-frame Local Area network (LAN) Server, allowing entrepreneurs to enter their local office and receive valuable information from lenders, and procurement information and business management counseling. Video conferencing is also available and enables clients to negotiate with customers or suppliers that have similar technology at their offices.
5. Customer Input
Clients receive a survey that asks them to discuss the services they receive at the Center. Every client that comes to the Center will fill out an application before meeting with a service provider or utilizing the Business Information Center. This data is compiled and tabulated monthly and a report is generated.
6. Press Coverage
Philadelphia Mayor Edward Rendell, Camden Mayor Arnold Webster and SBA Administrator Philip Lader announced the grand opening and dedicated the center.
7. Lessons Learned
The facility needs to be planned very well and the tracking system for clients is critical to the progress and successfulness of the Center.
8. Contact for Further Information
Linda M. Karl
Executive Director
PHONE: 215 - 790 - 5000
FAX: 215 - 790 - 2222
