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Business Development Portal

About Us

The Business Development Portal is a library of content and resources to assist you in planning, starting, managing, and growing your business in the City of Harrisburg. Small, local businesses are essential to our budding economy. The City is dedicated to ensuring they have a home here that allows them to thrive.

Licensing & Permitting

The Bureau of Licensing, Taxation and Central Support should be the first stop within the MLK Center when an individual or business is interested in obtaining a business license.

Bureau of Licensing, Taxation
and Central Support

Zoning

Before selecting a business location, be sure to review the Interactive Zoning Map, Zoning Code, and/or schedule a meeting with our Planning Bureau to discuss your needs.

Bureau of Planning

Local Business Organizations

African-American Chamber of Commerce

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA is a membership organization serving businesses, non-profit organizations, individuals, and other agencies committed to supporting the economic empowerment and growth of minority-owned businesses in Central PA.

Visit the African American Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Improvement District

The Mission of the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District is to make downtown a thriving, vibrant, and positive environment by delivering clean, safe and beautiful services for property owners, employees, residents and visitors.

Visit the Downtown Improvement District

Harrisburg Regional Chamber/CREDC

Recognized as one of the largest, most dynamic organizations of its kind, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & Capital Region Economic Development Corporation has combined a unique blend of business, community, and economic development services under one roof to improve the region’s economic vitality and quality of life.

Visit the Harrisburg Regional Chamber/CREDC

Harrisburg Young Professionals

Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) is a group of young, active, civic-minded professionals who have a clear vision of Harrisburg’s future as a great place to live, work, and play.

Visit the Harrisburg Young Professionals

Keystone Business Alliance – Central PA’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Keystone Business Alliance is committed to expanding the economic interests of LGBT and allied businesses through education, advocacy, and partnership with the local business community.

Visit the Keystone Business Alliance

Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition

The Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition will serve as a conduit for policy change, ensuring impartial access to contracting and employment opportunities for historically hard to place citizens and MBEs throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Visit the Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition

Small Business Administration of PA

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

Visit the Small Business Administration of PA

Susquehanna Score

The Susquehanna SCORE Chapter provides free and confidential one-on-one business counseling.  We also conduct workshops for both start-up entrepreneurs and seasoned small business owners.

Visit Susquehanna Score

Tax Abatement (LERTA)

Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement (LERTA) provides exemptions of taxes on property improvements located in within City of Harrisburg.

Tax Abatement (LERTA) Application

Vendor Registration

Where possible, the Purchasing Office will release contract opportunity notices to businesses who complete the Vendor Registration Form.

Office of Purchasing

Minority, Women, and Economically Disadvantaged Businesses

The City of Harrisburg collaborates with minority, women & economically disadvantaged business groups. The City focuses on professional development needs, networking relationships, and improving participation on city-related projects. The City will maintain a database specifically for collaborators to ensure those businesses are notified when bid opportunities become available.

Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Directory 

Business owners interested in obtaining certifications should review the following organizations.