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About Philadelphia

A Great Place for Business

Consider Philly

Looking for a place to start your business? Consider Philadelphia. Located halfway between New York and Washington, Philadelphia has a host of excellent universities churning out students in all disciplines, extensive public transportation system, good air and rail connections to the rest of the United States and Europe, and all of the support a growing company needs.

... for IT & Technology

If you are in the IT or technology field, the selection is particularly good. Silicon Philly will give you an excellent insight into the local IT culture and scene. A host of incubators and other support organizations can help you get connected in the area, including the Port of Technology, the Eastern Technology Council, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. For more traditional business information and contacts check out Greater Philadelphia First and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

... for International Business

International investors also have plenty of opportunities. In addition to the international focus of some of the above sites, the International Visitors Council helps international visitors and businesspersons make the connections they need to make here in Philadelphia. More than twenty-five different international chambers of commerce make it easy for specific groups, from Germans to Chileans, to get started in the Philadelphia area.

topHalfway Between New York City and Washington D.C.

While we feel that Philadelphia has everything your business needs (and more), New York and Washington are important (and expensive) cities, particularly for international businesses. The good news is that New York is only one and one-half hours away by train or car (depending on traffic). Amtrak has hourly trains from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to New York's Penn Station. Washington DC's Union Station is two and a half hours away, with frequent service during the week as well. Download Amtrak timetables (go to Northeast Direct Combined timetables for the most comprehensive information) or use the online reservation system. Once you are in Philadelphia, check out Septa's TransitQuest to get where you are going without a car.

If you are driving, check out Rand McNally or Mapquest for detailed directions.

Why Not Choose Philly?

The Philadelphia Inquirer and its website, philly.com, offer additional information on the region. The websites of the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania's business initiative PA Open For Business offer valuable information on the region and its legal climate. Finally, tourists to the city should check out gophila.com, the city's guide to tourism and events.