As a top-10 U.S. business hub, the Philadelphia area has a large and diverse workforce. Employers and employees must balance business and fiscal development while tackling concerns like labor rights, store closings and changing city and federal policy, often through unions.
One area standout: Delaware’s “incorporation kingdom.”
Wilmington to launch youth entrepreneurship program for next generation of business leaders
A new pilot program in Wilmington will teach teens business skills, from branding to budgeting, to help them pitch their own business plans.
(Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, May 2, 2025)
A Philly nonprofit is boosting, celebrating Latina entrepreneurs in the region
Immigrants make up a third of all business owners in Philadelphia, according to a 2024 report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
(Emily Neil, March 31, 2025)
Inclusive makeup brand in Philly receives equity infusion from Enterprise Center fund
Eager to offer more inclusive cosmetics, Pound Cake, a local start-up, got an influx of capital to help make that a reality.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, March 4, 2025)
America’s oldest ice cream shop in Philly is gaining popularity across Asia — here’s why
The iconic Bassetts Ice Cream in Reading Terminal Market has been expanding across Asia with the help of a little-known federal agency that sells insurance on export deals.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, Oct. 22, 2024)
‘It’s a painful reminder’: Delaware women face workforce, health care inequities, report says
While there’s been advancements, a new, first-ever report underscores ongoing racial and gender disparities in Delaware that demand quick action.
(Johnny Perez-Gonzalez, Oct. 15, 2024)
New Jersey legislation aims to end disparities for minority- and women-owned businesses
A legislative package has been approved by a committee to address issues uncovered in a state disparity study.
(David Matthau, Sept. 24, 2024)
Opinion: Immigrants are essential to Philadelphia’s economic growth and prosperity
Immigrants drive job creation, start new businesses and bring innovative ideas that benefit everyone in the city, says Anuj Gupta, president and CEO of The Welcoming Center.
(Anuj Gupta and Zeke Hernandez, Sept. 18, 2024)
5 things to know about immigrants in Philadelphia’s economy
Speakers and panelists discussed the long-term economic benefits of immigrants at a WHYY event on Wednesday.
(Emily Neil, Sept. 18, 2024)
Immigrants are fueling Philadelphia’s labor force growth, according to new report from Pew Charitable Trusts
Foreign-born residents account for a third of the city’s labor force growth since 2010.
(Emily Neil, Sept. 17, 2024)
Gov. Shapiro announces $20B Amazon AI investment, including development of data center in Bucks County
Sen. David McCormick joined the governor in announcing what he called a “huge victory for Pennsylvania.” Some concerns remain about powering new AI centers. (Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, June 9, 2025)
Why Amazon is doubling down on robots at its massive Delaware fulfillment center
About 4,500 people are working inside Amazon’s fulfillment center in Wilmington at any given time. After renovations, some of their newest coworkers will be robots. (Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, May 29, 2025)
Poverty on the decline in Philly while job growth outpaces national average, says Pew State of the City 2025 report
Over the past decade, the number of Philadelphians living in poverty has dropped by 6%. But racial disparities linger, according to the annual Pew Charitable Trusts report.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, April 21, 2025)
About 50,000 low-income Philadelphians could get their city wage taxes back, but few apply
The average income-based wage tax refund for eligible Philadelphia workers is between $300 and $400, but less than 1% of residents apply for it.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, April 14, 2025)
4 things to know about the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission
The commission is recommending sweeping changes that would reduce taxes on employees and significantly cut business taxes.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, Feb. 26, 2025)
Philadelphia’s newest employer at the Navy Yard helps keep food safe to eat
A French biotechnology giant just opened a molecular and genomic innovation center at Philly’s Navy Yard after acquiring a homegrown startup.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, Sept. 19, 2024)
Hundreds of biotech employees to work in Wilmington’s downtown
Biopharmaceutical company Incyte expects to relocate 400 employees from its Pennsylvania offices and expand in downtown Wilmington by 2026. (Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, May 31, 2024)
‘Game changer’ for Wilmington port: New $635M terminal to bring mammoth ships, thousands of jobs
The existing port has been operational for a century, but it can’t handle the 1,000-foot ships like the one that destroyed Baltimore’s Key Bridge. (Cris Barrish, May 29, 2024)
A French food safety giant is building an innovation center in Philly’s Navy Yard
BioMérieux’s new 32,000-square-foot space will have offices, manufacturing and research and development, plus a warehouse. (Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, May 19, 2024)
Philadelphia City Council passes bill to protect workers who speak up for rights
Employers face fines of $2,000 for each violation, such as retaliation for workers standing up for their rights, under the worker protection bill.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, May 9, 2025)
Philadelphia-area USPS workers fear a private takeover. Could it happen?
The Trump administration has flirted with the idea of selling the U.S. Postal Service to the highest bidder. Postal workers in the Philly region believe it’s a bad idea.
(WHYY News Staff, April 29, 2025)
Wawa is shrinking its Philadelphia convenience store footprint, closing 2 more locations
Wawa officials reviewed their portfolio of stores for performance and decided to shut down two in Northeast Philly.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, April 16, 2025)
Philadelphia City Council considers expanded protection bill for domestic workers
There’s already a bill of rights for domestic workers on the books in Philadelphia, but organizers say it’s difficult to enforce it without an anti-retaliation measure.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, Feb. 6, 2025)
Tyson Foods is closing 2 Philly-based meat plants, laying off more than 200 workers
The two North Philly factories are associated with Original Philly Holdings, which makes meat for cheesesteaks.
(Cory Sharber, Dec. 4, 2024)
Philly city workers say ‘everyone is pissed’ as Parker’s return-to-office mandate reveals lack of space, resources
When Philadelphia city employees showed up in person last week, the situation was chaotic and without enough office space to do their jobs.
(Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza, July 22, 2024)
Water privatization has led to rate hikes. Pa. regulators are now adding oversight to help keep bills from rising
With water bills on the rise, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted in favor of an order to bring more transparency and review procedures to water privatization.
(Kenny Cooper, June 13, 2024)
NJ Transit and its largest union announces tentative agreement, but talks with rail engineers continue to skid
Details of the agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union have not been released. It comes as contentious talks with rail engineers continue.
(P. Kenneth Burns, May 7, 2025)
NJ Transit unveils contingency plan if rail engineers go on strike this month. Customers encouraged to work from home
More bus service will be provided in the event of a strike. The union representing train engineers rejected a tentative contract agreement last month.
(David Matthau, May 2, 2025)
SEPTA workers vote to authorize strike, union contract set to expire Nov. 7
The vote does not mean workers plan to immediately walk off the job but gives union leaders the authority to call a strike if contract negotiations do not progress.
(Cory Sharber, Oct. 28, 2024)
Penn Medicine residents vote to approve union contract, a first for Pennsylvania
The negotiations took more than a year and included a large public rally and a recent incident where hospital security drove residents off a sidewalk.
(Alan Yu, Oct. 2, 2024)
Aramark workers at Citizens Bank Park vote to authorize a strike
Workers, represented by Unite Here Philly Local 274, are demanding better wages and year-round health benefits.
(Emily Neil, Sept. 1, 2024)
Resident doctors at Penn Medicine to demand contract both inside and outside the hospitals this week
After almost a year of negotiations, the big sticking point now is over wages. Residents say they make a little above minimum wage after accounting for long hours.
(Alan Yu, Aug. 27, 2024)
Controversy brewing over abrupt closure of OCF Coffee House shops in Philly
More than 30 employees are out of work after the business closed. Some say it’s because they announced their intention to unionize and join Workers United Local 80.
(6abc digital staff, Maggie Kent, June 11, 2024)
Delaware Gov. Meyer signs corporate law overhaul legislation over fears of a ‘DExit’ of franchise dollars
Despite some fierce public opposition to the bill nationwide, it easily passed both chambers of the General Assembly and was signed into law.
(Sarah Mueller, March 26, 2025)
Is ‘DExit’ a real threat to Delaware’s $2B-a-year incorporation kingdom, and will proposal protect or destroy ‘the franchise’?
Gov. Meyer and lawmakers say legislation is critical to protect the state’s dominance, but critics deride the measure as the “Billionaires’ Bill.”
(Cris Barrish, March 5, 2025)