The Taking Care of Business (TCB) Program has grown substantially since its inception, and soon Philadelphia is planning another expansion.
The program supports community-based nonprofits in cleaning sidewalks and removing litter from commercial corridors across the city. TCB has grown from serving 49 commercial corridors in 2020 to 155 commercial corridors currently, and an additional 24 corridors will be added in April.
More than 900,000 residents live within a quarter mile walk of the areas being served by the TCB program, according to the city’s commerce director, Alba Martinez. Last year, more than 177,000 bags of litter were collected by TCB crews.
“TCB is a critical investment in litter reduction efforts and meaningful employment opportunities for local residents who live in neighborhoods served by this program,” Martinez added. “TCB cleaning ambassadors are on the front lines maintaining these business corridors. In addition to sweeping up litter, they interact with businesses and residents.”
The TCB program currently employs 324 cleaning ambassadors, servicing 155 commercial corridors and cleaning 21,000 blocks. Services across the city include cleaning sidewalks and streets, picking up litter, and planting new tress (369 trees have been planted and maintained through the program).
“I’m not just cleaning the streets in Kensington; I’m making a difference in our local community. The change from when I started, to now, is outstanding. We’ve seen a lot more people going to work, getting their kids to school, and just living their day to day lives,” said Daniel Marshall, TCB Cleaning Manager. “Out on the streets, I see so many people who know me from a past life, and they congratulate me. They see the changes I’ve made in myself and in the community, and they’re proud of me. The TCB program brings me joy.”
As part of the TCB planned expansion, the Commerce Department has partnered with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to clean up vacant lots near commercial corridors as well. Since fall 2024, this partnership has cleaned up and fenced 192 vacant lots — this spring, they will add 192 more lots.
“The transformation is wonderful,” said Michelle Feldman, Executive Director of the East Falls Development Corporation. “With the TCB crew, we are gaining a deeper understanding of our community while building stronger, trusting relationships with East Falls residents and businesses.”
Organizers are planning the next phase of TCB expansions, which will include more service areas, employment opportunities and environmental efforts, specifically fencing and maintaining more vacant lots, as well as planting and caring for more trees along commercial corridors.
“Businesses on commercial corridors throughout the city frequently express how TCB contributes to their business success. They recognize that clean sidewalks bring more customers, and that the presence of friendly, uniformed cleaning ambassadors helps put people at ease,” said Denis Murphy, Deputy Commerce Director of TCB.
“Street cleaning is very important for the quality of life in our neighborhoods and commercial corridors,” added Jerome Johnson, a TCB cleaning ambassador. “With an increase in crew members taking care of additional areas, we really could change this whole city.”
