Economic Developments

Entrepreneurial Training Program: GGHDC has held six Entrepreneurial Training Programs with participation of over 240 residents. GGHDC works with the graduates to assist them in the creation and expansion of their businesses.  To date, GGHDC has assisted close to 20 community businesses expand or start their business. We have secured over $325,000 in bank financing and other capital. Graduate activities include expansion of a daycare business, purchase of the Germantown Theater Guild, and the opening of new retail shops.  The business development classes, offered in in collaboration with Partners for Small Business Development, are designed to assist residents with the definition and realization of their business plans.

Germantown Retail Business Incubator (GRBI): GGHDC's GRBI will create employment and business development opportunities for entrepreneurs who have minimal start up funds.  GGHDC will assist entrepreneurs in obtaining physical space and will provide business development education.  Vacant buildings are being transformed from deteriorating blights in the community to productive and innovative retail business incubators.  These incubators will house six businesses employing former ACDF/TANF recipients.  As the businesses develop and stabilize they will move out of the incubator facility into vacant commercial spaces in the surrounding community.  This will create new retail and commercial outlets that will provide needed goods and services to the Germantown community.

Philadelphia Historic Northwest Coalition: GGHDC has joined forces with various organizations in Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill to work together to effectively promote the Northwest section of the City.  The organizations involved include neighborhood business associations, civic groups, area historic houses and museums, the historical societies, and cultural and recreational institutions.  The goal is to increase awareness of the many points of interest and positive attributes of the Northwest Philadelphia region. Funding for the marketing of this initiative is comprised of capital raised by GGHDC and PHNC through the office of Senator Allyson Schwartz, the Streets Department, the office of Councilwoman Donna Reed-Miller, as well as foundation and corporate support.

Germantown Avenue Main Street: GGHDC has been working with the National Trust Historic Preservation and the Local Initiative Support Corporation to implement the Main Street program along Germantown Avenue.  GGHDC works with the business owners, residents and other interested individuals to create a redesign of the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor.  Included in the plans are street improvements such as pedestrian lighting, new landscaping, and facade improvements.  A grant from the William Penn Foundation is funding the initial implementation of the Main Street program: planting of street trees, facade improvements and advertisement of the area, street banners, and offering additional marketing support to merchants.

For more information on economic development please contact:

Ernie Covington
Executive Director
GGHDC
ecovington@germantown.org
5538 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144