Sustainable Business Network

Job creation and environmental protection go hand-in-hand in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan. Join us and our friends at Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, PennFuture, PennEnvironment, Audubon Mid-Atlantic, Clean Water Action, and Tookany/Tacony-Frankford (TTF) Watershed Partnership on June 23 at 7 pm for a discussion with Congressman Brendan Boyle about rebuilding our economy with bold investments in infrastructure to create millions of good-paying, clean energy jobs right here in Pennsylvania.

Have you claimed your COVID-19 paid sick leave tax credit? Business owners have until Sept 30, 2021 to claim their paid sick leave tax credit reimbursement. Join @LaborPHL during a virtual Compliance Support Office Hours June 17 at 2pm. See the Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/2RaM9vD

Investments in green stormwater infrastructure support small businesses and create family-sustaining jobs while providing access to equitably distributed, well-maintained public spaces, healthy rivers and streams, and other projects that reinforce climate resilience. By investing in GSI, our Commonwealth stands to reap billions of dollars in economic activity. Read our latest PlanPhilly op-ed based on our new report highlight the many benefits of #GSI and how our Commonwealth stands to reap billions from economic activity. #GreenStormwaterInfrastructure #GSI #economicrecovery #localeconomy #equitabledevelopment #climateresilience #greeninfrastructure #greenjobs #cleanwater #familysupportingjobs #philadelphiabusiness #climatechange #localbusiness #smallbusiness

SBN is proud to announce the release of our latest report, Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI): A Tool for Economic Recovery and Growth in Pennsylvania. This report, conducted by #FourthEconomy, makes a clear case for the benefits that Pennsylvania has everything to gain from the growing GSI industry: advancing opportunities for small businesses, increasing family-supporting jobs, healthier air and water, stronger climate resilience, and equitable community development. Check out the report here: https://www.sbnphiladelphia.org//sbn-releases-report-on-t/ #GreenStormwaterInfrastructure #GSI #economicrecovery #localeconomy #equitabledevelopment #climateresilience #greeninfrastructure #greenjobs #cleanwater #familysupportingjobs #philadelphiabusiness #climatechange #localbusiness #smallbusiness

Check out Cake Life Bake Shop Owner and SBN's fearless Board chair and member, Nima Etemadi, in this month’s Philadelphia Business Journal on the challenges that local LGBTQ+ owned businesses face and what they need to rebound from #COVID19 and to grow and thrive in the future.

This Wednesday, June 9, at 9 am, join us for our next #SBNRebuildingSeries session. Little Giant Creative's Meegan Denenberg will share marketing and branding tips for #smallbiz owners to amplify their business’ impact. This program is free for all SBN members and non-members. Find out more and RSVP below https://sbngreaterphilly.z2systems.com//sbngrea/event.jsp

Starting today, June 2, Philly will loosen most Safer-at-Home restrictions, including capacity limits and physical distancing rules. See more from City of Philadelphia Government on why the City is relaxing most of its restrictions and what local businesses need to know to fully reopen safely.

Are you an entrepreneur or business owner in Philadelphia? The City is currently creating its 2021-2022 budget, and we want to know how the budget will affect you and your business. Your input is a crucial part of helping to inform our local lawmakers about your business needs and priorities. Take the 7-question survey by May 25 & you'll be entered to win a $250 gift card: https://bit.ly/3bEOMfQ This survey is a collaboration between the African-American Chamber of Commerce NJ, PA, and DE, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Independent Business Alliance. Independence Business Alliance African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Today at 10am, join PIDC and Lendistry as they walk through the guidelines, documentation, and application for the new #RestaurantRevitalizationFund. There’s time to register for this morning's event!

May is #AAPIHeritageMonth which recognizes the many contributions and impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has had on our country, culture, and society. SBN encourages you to support #AAPI owned and operated local businesses throughout our region, today, and beyond. Check out our member directory of #AAPI businesses within our network here: https://bit.ly/3fbpuav

Beginning today, owners of restaurants, bars, food trucks, bakeries and other related businesses can apply to U.S. Small Business Administration's #RestaurantRevitalizationFund! Apply: https://restaurants.sba.gov Learn more: http://sba.gov/restaurants

We updated our #COVID19 page with resources, and other relevant information including: Comcast RISE program Philly’s guidelines for outdoor-dining for this October and winter And more. Check it out here: https://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/covid-19/

New grants and other support will become available for Black, Indigenous, and POC local independent business owners in the Philly area. (via Philadelphia Inquirer)

TOMORROW: We’re excited to hose our next Virtual Roundtable discussion with Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta! Rep. Kenyatta will discuss his journey to state representative, his vision for rebuilding the economy with equity and climate resilience, and what role he sees for local independent businesses as they stabilize and rebuild amid COVID-19 and systemic racism. This program is for SBN members only. Register here: https://bit.ly/3lz4dc0

As more Americans are being forced to confront the realities of climate change and megafires, officials are increasingly turning to principles that Indigenous communities have long known are healthy for the land and its peoples. (via The New York Times) #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Many thanks to Independence Business Alliance and African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE for co-hosting today’s Building Equitable Businesses virtual panel with us, and thank you to those that attended! Looking for other #MEDWeekPHL events similar to the one from today? Check out the full #MEDWeekPHL schedule, and register for events here:

TODAY at noon: Join us for Building Equitable Businesses virtual panel with Independence Business Alliance and African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE on how #localbusinesses can build their companies in a more equitable way after #COVID19 and social unrest. Register now for this free #MEDWeekPHL event!

Our local economy's survival is more critical now than ever. Tonight at 6 pm, we’re excited to launch our new program series, Rebuilding with Equity and Climate Resilience, with a kickoff event including opening remarks from Governor Tom Wolf, a keynote address from American Independent Business Alliance Executive Director Derek Peebles, and an overview of the program from our Executive Director Anna Shipp. The program is designed to help local businesses rebuild with social equity and climate resilience at the forefront. You don't want to miss this event! Register now

#MEDWeekPHL is underway! Don’t miss our Building Equitable Businesses virtual panel with Independence Business Alliance and African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE on how #localbusinesses can build their companies in a more equitable way after #COVID19 and social unrest. Register now for this free event

Starting Friday, October 2, indoor dining at Philly restaurants will expand to a maximum of 50% capacity (from the current 25%). Bar service will remain prohibited. (via Philadelphia Business Journal)

Local independent businesses are the cornerstone of our economy. We will only see equitable economic recovery if our government prioritizes them in all recovery efforts. Our executive director, Anna Shipp, writes for PlanPhilly on the need for government to provide better support to our local business community.

We're beyond stoked! Huge thank you to Streets Dept for featuring SBN's Executive Director, Anna Shipp, on this week's podcast! Conrad and Anna chat ways of building a just, green, and thriving economy centered on local, independent businesses on the episode. They also discuss the challenges that systemic racism and COVID-19 present in creating that economy. Stream/Listen to the episode here: