Philadelphia became the birthplace of our nation when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence there in 1776. And while the Liberty Bell remains a testament to our freedom, enterprise is not free to operate without many licenses and permits. From licenses for dumpsters public and private to permits to sell malt liquor, Philadelphia has no shortage of business regulation. Nor does the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Entrepreneurs must wade through a sea of licenses and permits on their way to success in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia represents the seventh largest economy in the United States. Today's modern city boasts manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care and biotechnology, tourism and financial services. Philadelphia encourages entrepreneurial activity with an economic development office designed to help business owners find resources.