Pennsylvania Trade Resources
- PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development – The DCED mission is to encourage the shared prosperity of all Pennsylvanians by supporting good stewardship and sustainable development initiatives across our commonwealth. With a keen eye toward diversity and inclusiveness, we act as advisors and advocates, providing strategic technical assistance, training, and financial resources to help our communities and industries flourish.
- PA Site Search – this tool comes from the PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development. Pennsylvania State Profiles on businesses, demographics and mapping. Get the Best Demographic Data, Consumer Expenses, Labor Force and Talent Pool. On the Business Side get information on Industry Clusters, Business Search and PA Major Employers.
- Office of International Business Development – The DCED International Business office offers both export and foreign direct investment assistance to help your company grow in Pennsylvania. Get great facts and figures: Country Fact Sheets, Foreign Owned Companies in PA, FDI Statistics, Foreign Trade Zones and more.
- PA Export Assistance – Pennsylvania offers a wide range of programs and services to expand the global reach and export capacity of the commonwealth’s business community.
- PA Business Assistance – Everything you need to do business in PA: Business Financing, Technical Assistance, Expansion & Relocation and Tax-Free Zones.
- Global Access Program (GAP) – The Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) and provides up to $10,000 per award period to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities.
- U.S. Small Business Administration – SBA Eastern PA District– Our office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. We can also connect you to our partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
- PA SBDC – Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers – Helping businesses start, grow and prosper. They provide educational programs and no-cost, confidential consulting services for small business owners and entrepreneurs.
- World Trade Center Philadelphia – To bring growth and prosperity to businesses, communities, and neighborhoods in Greater Philadelphia and worldwide through global trade and investment. The WTCGP takes a multifaceted approach in analyzing market size, maturity, and trends, as well as import barriers and tariffs, labeling or certification requirements, regulatory issues, and free trade agreements.
- National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC) – increases awareness and understanding of the importance of exports to the US economy through education, legislative outreach, and engagement with DECs and other relevant stakeholders. NADEC is a non-profit corporation that maintains a 501(c)(6) federal income tax status.
- Mid-Atlantic District Export Council – The DEC is a private, non-profit organization that brings together experienced international businesspeople who provide guidance and assistance in international markets. The DEC also works closely with professionals of the U.S. Commercial Service in our region. DEC members also meet with federal, state, and local elected officials to educate and inform them on trade policy issues impacting the region’s business community.
Pennsylvania State, County and Borough Resources
for Government, Community and Economic Development
- Pennsylvania Department of State – The Official Pennsylvania government Website. The Department protects the public’s health and safety by licensing more than one million business and health professionals; promotes the integrity of the electoral process; supports economic development through corporate registrations and transactions; maintains registration and financial information for thousands of charities. ***Doing Business with someone and want to verify that the business is in good standing with the state, click on Business and Charities link and scroll down to Online Filing and start your free search or check your own information.
- Business Filing Services – On the PA Dept. of State website you have online Business Filing Services that enable you to search for PA businesses, file a business and order records online. Search a Business Entity, UCC Search, Free Trademark Search, also reserve a Business Entity Name
- County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) – The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is the voice of Pennsylvania counties. CCAP provides county leaders with information and guidance related to legislation, education, media, insurance, technology and many other issues that help create and maintain crucial services for residents throughout the state. CCAP supports county leadership that is responsive to the needs and circumstances of citizens. CCAP stands firmly against state and federal actions that limit fiscal, administrative or programmatic authority over those developed locally.
- Pennsylvania County Websites – Sixty-seven counties in Pennsylvania provide services that positively impact the daily lives of our families and help our communities. Among the critical, wide-ranging functions are judicial administration, corrections and justice related activities, community and economic development, environmental planning, public health and safety, human services (including children and youth, mental health, intellectual disabilities and drug and alcohol), emergency management, elections, and real estate tax assessment. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s great counties below by visiting their websites.
- Philadelphia County (City of Philadelphia) – Official website of the City of Philadelphia, includes information on municipal services, permits, licenses, and records for citizens and businesses. Philadelphia County is the most populous county in Pennsylvania and the 24th-most populous county in the nation. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 1,603,797. Its county seat is Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth-largest city. Notable Boroughs and Townships: Belmont, Frankford, Germantown, Kingsessing, Manayunk, Northern Liberties, Passyunk, Roxborough, Spring Garden, West Philadelphia, Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane, Chestnut Hill
- Borough of Conshohocken– The official site of Conshohocken a borough on the Schuylkill River in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in suburban Philadelphia. Conshohocken is a one-square mile borough located in southeast Pennsylvania, about 15 miles from Philadelphia. It has quickly developed into a hub of residential and commercial activity, becoming one of the most important professional centers in Montgomery County.
- Montgomery County Gov. – The official Website for Montgomery County, PA and One Stop Shop for information on the third most populous county in Pennsylvania. Locate Property Records, Community Connections, Bids and RFP’s, County Jobs and the Commissioner’s Office Notable Cities: Norristown, King of Prussia, Narberth, Conshohocken, Plymouth Meeting, Blue Bell, Bryn Mawr, Gladwyne, Ardmore, Willow Grove, Lansdale
- Bucks County – The Official Website of Bucks County. Bucks is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 646,538, making it the fourth-most populous county in Pennsylvania. Its county seat is Doylestown. The county is named after the English county of Buckinghamshire. Bucks County is part of the northern boundary of the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MD Metropolitan Statistical Area, more commonly known as the Delaware Valley. The county borders Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth-largest city, to its southwest and the U.S. state of New Jersey to its east.
Notable Cities and Towns: Levittown, Bristol, Quakertown, Doylestown, Perkasie, Morrisville, Sellersville, Langhorne, Newtown, Feasterville - Visit Bucks County – Bucks County has a great visitors site. This site list things to do, places to stay, events, town and main streets. Doing business in Buck County is great for after work and business meetings to unwind and dine with great restaurants and bars.
- Delaware County – The official Website of Delaware County. Delaware County, colloquially referred to as Delco, is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the fifth-most populous county in Pennsylvania and the third smallest in area. Get all your public information about the county, know the elected officials and public access channels. Notable Cities and Towns: Upper Darby, Haverford, Chester, Radnor, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Yeadon, Lansdowne, Sharon Hill, Prospect Park, Media
- Chester County – The official Website of Chester County. Chester County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the Delaware Valley region, located in the southeastern part of the state. The county seat and most populated municipality is West Chester. Notable Cities and Towns: West Chester, Phoenixville, Coatesville, Downingtown, Paoli, Kennett Square, Exton, Berwyn, Malvern, Lincoln University, Devon
- Berks County – The official Website of Berks County. Berks County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The county seat is Reading. The Schuylkill River, a 135-mile-long tributary of the Delaware River, flows through Berks County. Notable Cities: Reading, Wyomissing, Kutztown, Hamburg, Boyertown
- Lehigh County– The Official Website for the County of Lehigh, Pennsylvania. Lehigh County is located in southeastern Pennsylvania in the area known as the Lehigh Valley, with the city of Allentown as its county seat. Lehigh County and Northampton County to its east combine to form the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Lehigh County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Pennsylvania and the more highly populated of the two counties. Both counties are part of the Philadelphia television market, the fourth-largest television market in the nation. Notable Cities and Towns: Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Ancient Oaks, Catasauqua. Fountain Hill
- Lancaster County – The official Website for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch sometimes nicknamed the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the south-central part of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s sixth-most populous county. Its county seat is Lancaster. Lancaster County comprises the Lancaster, Pennsylvania metropolitan statistical area. Lancaster County is a tourist destination with its Amish community a major attraction. Notable Cities and Towns: Lancaster, Ephrata, Elizabethtown, Columbia, Lititz, Millersville, New Holland, Manheim, Denver, Intercourse, Blue Ball, Morgantown, Paradise, Bird-In-Hand
- Dauphin County – The official Website of Dauphin County. Dauphin County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The county seat is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital and ninth-most populous city. ***Harrisburg is where The Pennsylvania State Capitol building is a functional seat of government, where laws are passed, and the public policy is set for over 12 million residents of Pennsylvania. ***Hershey, PA is the home of Milton Hershey the inventor of Hershey’s Chocolate. Hershey operates with two main divisions, Hershey Chocolate North America and Hershey International, the latter of which exports the firm’s products to over 90 countries. Note: Harrisburg and Hershey PA are only about 12 miles apart. Notable Cities and Towns: Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown, Union Deposit, Steelton, Hummelstown, Linglestown, Paxtonia, Millersburg, Highspire
- PA Liquor Control Board – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB)is an independent government agency that manages the beverage alcohol industry in Pennsylvania by administering the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. The PLCB regulates the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and disposition of liquor, alcohol, and malt or brewed beverages in the commonwealth. The agency issues licenses to private individuals or entities that wish to engage in wholesale operations of beer, either as an importing distributor or as a distributor. The agency is also responsible for wholesale distribution of wine and spirits, which licensees may pick up from state-operated Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores or licensee service centers or have delivered from PLCB distribution centers.