Norristown is a growing and vibrant place to start or grow your business, and the Municipal government is here to help you.


Helpful advice and resources to guide you: 

1. Make sure the business you want to open is permitted in the part of Norristown where you want to locate. Please contact the Zoning Department at 610-270-0451.  Norristown’s zoning ordinance provides for different uses in different parts (or zones) of the municipality. Your business may be legal in one part of Norristown, but not another. The Norristown Planning and Municipal Development Department will assist you by making sure your business use is legal. So before you sign a lease or agreement of sale, check with the Norristown Planning and Municipal Development Department.  


2. Before you move in to your new business location, it will need to be inspected to make sure the current building has all the necessary safety features and other improvements to support your business activity. Contact the building codes department at 610-270-0441.
     

The Norristown Code Enforcement Department, together with the Fire Marshal’s office, is responsible for ensuring that buildings in Norristown are safe and properly equipped. Once your business use is approved by the Planning and Municipal Development Department, the business space will need to be inspected and approved by the Norristown Code Enforcement Department before you can occupy it. Depending on the type of businesses, you may be required to make additional improvements to the building. Contact the Norristown Code Enforcement Department for more information at 610-270-0441.


3. Are you constructing a new building, an addition or doing building renovations for your business? If so, contact the codes department at 610-270-0441.
     

Building construction may need approvals from both the Planning and Municipal Development Department and the Code Enforcement Department depending on what you are doing and the scope of the project. For example, the dimensions of the building need to be considered in relation to Norristown ordinance as well as things like how closely your new building or addition is located to the property line. Almost all construction activity requires permits from the Norristown Code Enforcement Department and frequently plans prepared and sealed by a professional architect.

Click here to access Norristown’s User’s Guide to the Land Development and Building Permit Process. 2012 Business Fees. 

Local resources you can use:

1. Norristown Business Development Office. The Norristown Business Development office is here to helpnew businesses get off the ground and existing businesses prosper. The office is a one-stop shop to help you find the resources you need to succeed. Contact the department at 484-614-0393 for additional assistance or download the How to do business in Norristown guide. 


2. Small Business Assistance Center. The Norristown Small Business Assistance Center (NSBAC) is a unique partnership of the Municipality of Norristown and the Widener University Small Business Development Center working together to help small business in the municipality of Norristown.  Contact by email or call 610-277-4455 


3. Microloans. Norristown can make small business loans available to eligible businesses that might not qualify for other financing.  Contact by email or call 610-277-4455  


4. Norristown Enterprise Zone. Certain businesses that locate in the Norristown Enterprise Zone may qualify for special grants, loans and other incentives. Contact by email or call 484-614-0393.   

Microloan program:

Norristown Business Services introduces the Norristown Microloan Program:
Norristown Municipality in conjunction with The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TECC-CC) is offering access to its Mircoloan fund for the participants of our economic development programs in Norristown. TEC-CC will provide pre and post loan-technical assistance, loan origination and loan servicing to all qualifying Norristown-based borrowers through our Strategic Loan Fund product. Loans range from $2,500 – 50,000, easy application process and quick turn around. Identification of third party financing opportunities, financial literacy education, credit analysis and counseling, loan packaging and financial intermediation services for small businesses available.

To request an application contact 610-277-4455 or email microloan@norristown.org.

 

The Norristown Enterprise Zone 

Norristown has advantages you can’t find in other communities, special incentive programs to help you build your business.

These incentives include:
• Business development and infrastructure assistance in the form of grants or            below-market rate loans.
• Lowest statewide prevailing interest rates on other business development loan        programs such as the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA),            Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF), and Small Business First loans.
• Assistance for clean-up of contaminated sites under Act II.
• Advantage in bidding on state government contracts.
• State tax credits for various business development projects.

Eligible projects may include improvements to real property using new construction and/or rehabilitation of existing buildings.

Interested in opening a restaurant? The Norristown Enterprise Zone can make it easier by providing priority access to state liquor licenses.

The Norristown Enterprise Zone provides assistance to businesses involved in technology, wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, and industrial export services. Export is defined as a business which has a market area approximately statewide or larger.

Corporations may apply for a 20% tax credit on their state Corporate Net Income Tax for the value of investments to rehabilitate or improve buildings or land located in the Norristown Enterprise Zone. Each year a total of $4 million in tax credits is available for approved projects, not exceeding $250,000 per project per year. Tax credits can be carried forward for five years.

Enterprise Zone grants-to-loans can be used for up to 30% of the total project costs for new machinery and equipment, new construction or building improvements, site improvements, infrastructure, and in some special cases, for up to 40% of inventory or working capital needs. Grants-to-loans can also be used toward the cost of preparing business lease space.

There are lots of reasons to locate your business in Norristown. For more information please contact our Business Development Coordinator at 484-614-0393 or email at gprete@norristown.org.

See Enterprise Zone boundaries within Norristown

Lafayette Street Extension Project

The Lafayette Street Extension Project involves extending Lafayette Street in Norristown to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The project is a major effort by Montgomery County to improve highway access to downtown Norristown and its riverfront. This Web page is the source for the latest information on the project. Feel free to browse the site for project history, news, and details.

This project is being headed by the Montgomery County Planning Commission in association with PennDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). For more information, please contact Leo D. Bagley at 610-278-3746, or click here.

Helpful Resources:

CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES

Montgomery County Community College has opened a brand-new Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (CES) for aspiring or existing entrepreneurs looking to expand their enterprise. The Center is located in Parkhouse Hall, Room 194.

The mission of the CES is to provide a valuable and practical educational opportunity for community entrepreneurs. The CES will have an active role in economic development by creating leadership, innovation, inspiration and enrichment to the greater community. In offering this assistance as a one-stop resource shop, the Center expects to positively affect the economic, social and cultural development of the community.
 

Economic and Workforce Development Office
Human Services Center
1430 DeKalb Street, 5th Floor
Norristown, PA 19401
http://montcoworks.montcopa.org/montcoworks/site/default.asp
Hours: 8:30 A.M. - 4:15 P.M. (Monday - Friday)
Phone: 610-278-5950

County Department of Economic and Workforce Development combines many different areas of expertise to provide service to companies looking to expand and/or relocate here as well as to residents seeking to upgrade and enhance their skills. This comprehensive approach provides streamlined service to business and individuals.

Greater Norristown Corporation (GNC)

The Greater Norristown Corporation is a non-profit economic development organization focused on the growth of the Municipality of Norristown and its neighboring Montgomery County townships. We believe in the strength of partnerships and work with individual businesses, townships, counties, and the state of Pennsylvania in efforts to ultimately strengthen what we believe could be the hub of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Greater Norristown Corporation is a non-profit organization whose primary focus is to improve the civic, social, and economic welfare of the Greater Norristown area within Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. We work with township, county, and state officials and we lend support to various civic and municipal improvement projects, economic, commercial, industrial, and residential development project, and the rehabilitation and revitalization of areas affected by urban decline.

Our influence comes from our high-quality members. We have representatives from local and county governments, developers and realtors, and across many different industries. With our impressive membership and the individual influence and knowledge they each bring to the group, we collectively partake in a variety of projects, in planning, coordinating, and supporting capacities.

Norristown Business Association                                                             

 PO Box 498                                                                                        Norristown, PA 19401                                                  www.norristownnba.org 

The Norristown Business Association (NBA) is a collaboration network of businesses and professionals in the Norristown area.  The purpose of the Association is to create a thriving business community in the heart of Montgomery County.  The NBA is comprised of diverse businesses and professionals who meet throughout the year to discuss, plan and implement community growth. Members strive to enhance the quality of life and business environment in Norristown.  For more information see brochure. 

 

Montgomery County Chamber
Physical Address:
The Historic King of Prussia Inn
101 Bill Smith Boulevard
King of Prussia, 19406
www.montgomerycountychamber.org
Phone: 610-265-1776 or 610-277-9500
Fax: 610-265-0473
Email: info@montgomerycountychamber.org

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 200
Eagleville, PA 19408

Joining the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will provide you with instant access to one of suburban Philadelphia's largest business networks. We are one of the strongest, most active business advocacy agencies in Montgomery County. Dedicated to our members' growth and prosperity, we can help grow your business, connect you to leaders and legislators and provide valuable savings on benefits and services.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
420 West Germantown Pike
East Norriton, PA 19403
www.montcoedc.com
Phone: 610-272-5000
Fax: 610-272-6235

County Economic Development Corporation and Suburban Development Council are private non-profit, non-governmental corporations dedicated to the economic development of Montgomery County and we count on your financial support (membership dues) to sustain our activities. Since 1964, we have arranged for more than 2,200 low-rate loans for a variety of projects that have resulted in the creation of more than 44,000 jobs and tens of thousands of jobs have been retained.

Montgomery County PA CareerLink - Main Office
1855 New Hope Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Hours: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (Monday - Thursday); 8 A.M. - 1 P.M. (Friday)
Phone: 610-270-3429
TTY: 610-270-1273

The PA CareerLink of Montgomery County helps local businesses find, hire, train and retain a premier workforce. With an extensive database of job seekers, PA CareerLink is uniquely positioned to connect local companies with those candidates who fit their search criteria.

Redevelopment Authority of the County of Norristown
104 West Main Street, Suite 2
Norristown, PA 19401
www.montcorda.org
Phone: 610-275-5300

The Redevelopment Authority was established in 1958 as an independent governmental agency under Pennsylvania law by the Commissioners of Montgomery County. The Authority's principal purposes are assisting the County's townships and boroughs in stimulating economic revitalization and aiding in the provision of affordable housing through applications to state and federal sources. The Redevelopment Authority's activities are funded primarily through state and federal grant programs, reimbursements from municipalities and private sector entities for services provided to them by the Authority.

FOR FEATURED PROPERTIES CLICK HERE!

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