Merchant Center

Open Your Downtown Business

Are you thinking about starting or expanding your own business? Are you considering Downtown York as a potential location? We’d love to talk to you about your ideas to see how we can help.

Flourish in Downtown York

Whether you’re looking for available office or retail space, financial resources, assistance with your business plan; or have questions regarding permits, zoning or codes – Downtown Inc will help you get started, and help you grow.

Register Your Business

Have you registered your business with the City of York? If not, complete a new business registration.

York County Economic Alliance Entrepreneurs Guide

A one stop shop for entrepreneurial resources.

Susquehanna SCORE

Helping people make decisions about starting or growing a business and improving their probability of success.

Certificate of Occupancy / Compliance

Has your business received an Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance from the City of York’s Building Codes Official? If you aren’t sure if your business has had an inspection, please contact the Bureau of Permits and Inspections at 717-849-2256.

 

City of York – York Business Academy

A series of eight educational workshops designed to offer new and existing small business owners an educational opportunity that will increase your overall business acumen and improve the likelihood of success.

York Launchbox

Hosted virtually and supported by the Penn State York campus, the York LaunchBox is a hub connecting the York, Hanover, Lancaster, and surrounding area entrepreneurs to the support and resources they need to build a sustainable and scalable business with a viable plan for growth. By supporting a culture of innovation around the York LaunchBox, the initiative intends to increase the number of entrepreneurs in the community.

City of York Demographics

Learn all you need to know about your target market! The population in Downtown York and surrounding area has a variety of wonderful potential customers.

Population: 43,718
Median Age: 32.2
39% of Residents’ Ages: 24-54
Total Businesses: 1,864
Total Employment: 32,835
Workday Commuter Influx: 24,000

Consumer Spending
Retail Goods, Entertainment/Recreation, Food Away from Home, Shelter, Food at Home, and Health Care

1 Mile Radius of Continental Square
Businesses: 1,640
Employees: 20,513
Residential Population: 31,074

3 Mile Radius of Continental Square
Businesses: 5,748
Employees: 75,344
Residential Population: 87,452

15 Minute Drive Time
Population: 183,797
Households: 70,314
Median Age: 38.2
Average Household Income: $66,631
Population By Age:
15 to 24 years: 13.2%
25 to 34 years: 11.4%
35 to 44 years: 13.5%
45 to 54 years: 15.3%
55 to 64 years: 12.6%

Looking for a Snapshot of York?

Are you considering a position at one of our exceptional York County businesses and wondering what it would be like to live in York? Check out WhyYorkPA.com for a snapshot of cost of living, recreation, school districts, real estate and housing, a vibrant City and County, and much more!

Financial Resources

​You have options for financial resources, and we’ve gathered some for you. From grants to loans, there’s a solution for your business.

Bloom Grants

The YoCo Bloom Grant Program was created in 2018 and expanded in 2019 to include a Downtown-focused grant specifically to help downtown businesses address a tangible need that will help them improve productivity, expand/improve their services and grow to the next level.

City of York – Fresh Food Fund

A revolving loan fund established to assist the development of new and existing food-related enterprises

Community First Fund

Providing a variety of loan products, free one-on-one counseling and classes to meet the needs of prospective and current entrepreneurs.

York County Economic Alliance

Your resource for facilitating economic and community development in York County.

Small Business Administration

Programs and resources to help you start, grow and succeed.

York County Community Foundation

A public charity that supports our community through grant awards to support projects in certain areas.

KIVA York

The City of York is partnering with international crowd-lending website, Kiva. This partnership brings crowd-funded microloans to small business owners and entrepreneurs in the City of York. Kiva works with communities to provide zero interest loans up to $10,000 for small businesses and entrepreneurs. For more information, please contact our Economic Development Specialist and Kiva Capital Access Manager, Sharee McFadden at smcfadden@yorkcity.org or Skyler Yost at york@local.kiva.org.

Downtown Renaissance Fund

Established by a group of organizations for the purpose of aiding in the continuing revitalization of Downtown York by providing equity capital to projects of a similar goal. The goals center around providing a standard of housing opportunities and other services that will be attractive to individuals and families having a range of incomes. Contact info@downtownyorkpa.com for more information.

​Visit Downtown York

​We have tons of attractions, events, and exciting things for you to enjoy!