Germantown United CDC’s corridor cleaning team joined the Philadelphia Commerce Department and elected officials to celebrate the hard work and great achievements of all 200+ PHL Taking Care of Business Corridor Cleaning Program (PHL TCB) ambassadors from around the city at a Pep Rally on Earth Day.

Mayor Jim Kenney speaks at the TCB Rally, April 22, 2022

In neighborhoods across Philadelphia, PHL TCB cleaning is carried out by small crews of uniformed Cleaning Ambassadors deployed along scheduled cleaning routes identified by the City and local community organizations. Some organizations hire their own staff to perform the cleaning, other organizations contract with a private cleaning provider. In Germantown, our partners are Depaul USA and Friends of Germantown NW, two Germantown-based groups.

All PHL TCB Cleaning Ambassadors earn a minimum of $15 per hour and receive paid workforce training opportunities to equip them to perform their jobs and help them advance in their careers.

Earlier this month, Commerce released a report prepared by the policy research firm Econsult Solutions sharing the 2021 impact of the TCB program in meeting its four main goals:

  1. Making commercial districts in Philadelphia neighborhoods cleaner.
  2. Promoting the economic success of neighborhood businesses by creating an inviting environment for shoppers.
  3. Creating work opportunities for Philadelphians.
  4. Growing the capacity of local small businesses and organizations that provide cleaning services.

The results? Cleaner corridors, satisfied merchants and shoppers, quality jobs created, and greater opportunities for local cleaning firms.

Philadelphia Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams (L) with Germantown United CDC’s Matthew George (R)