The Bureau of Economic Assistance directs and controls the Commerce Department's economic assistance activities, including the administration and management of the Revenue Bond and Mortgage Program, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, the Job Training Partnership Act, and the Pennsylvania Capital Loan Fund. Among the activities of the Bureau of Domestic and International Commerce are supervising projects encouraging industrial development, attracting both domestic and foreign investment to the state, and providing export assistance to Pennsylvania companies. Pennsylvania had about 27,000 acres of "Opportunity Zones;" virtually tax-free areas for new businesses, in 2000.
The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority Board and the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority provide loans to businesses that want to build new facilities or renovate and expand older ones. The Office of Minority Business Enterprise seeks to strengthen minority businesses by helping them obtain contracts with the state. The Small Business Action Center aids small businesses by providing a network of informational sources. The Bureau of Technological Development directs all phases of the Department of Commerce's scientific and technological activities and monitors advanced technology initiatives and growth throughout the state. Additional services are provided by the Bureau of Statistics, Research and Planning, the Bureau of Appalachian Development, the Bureau of Travel Development, the Bureau of Motion Picture and Television Development, the Bureau of Management and Administration, the Financial Analysis Office, and the Nursing Home Loan Agency.