dslbd

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Agency Home Responsive

District Capitalized Revolving Loan Fund

The District Capitalized Revolving Loan Fund provides equitable access to affordable, flexible capital that can help DC businesses build or improve their business credit. Application Period for the Fund’s 2025 Micro-line of Credits up to $10,000 is November 10 to December 12, 2025

SmallBiz Assist

In celebration of National Entrepreneur Month, DSLBD invites DC-based entrepreneurs to book a one-on-one meeting to explore our programs, connect with local resources, and grow their businesses.

To sign up, CLICK HERE.

Green Book Updated Website

Get Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips!

Stay updated with the latest government contracting opportunities as they become available!

CBE Eligibility Wizard

Using the CBE Wizard, you can begin the process of helping your business become a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE).

All-New District CBE Waiver Portal

DSLBD is proud to announce that we have improved the Agency Subcontracting Requirement Waiver Requests Page by creating an all-new District CBE Waiver Portal (made possible through the District Enterprise System).

Featured Services

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants.

DC APEX

DSLBD offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the...

Certification, Joint Venture

How to apply for a Joint Venture.

File a Complaint with DSLBD

Complaints regarding the CBE Program can be filed with DSLBD via phone, email or mail.

Commercial Revitalization

Our revitalization programs help retail corridors and neighborhoods.

District CBE Waiver Portal

Latest

Nov 26 2025

Mayor Bowser Encourages Residents to Shop Local on Small Business Saturday and Throughout the Holiday Season

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business...

Nov 25 2025

Modified District Government Services for Thanksgiving

(Washington, DC) – On Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, District Government will...

Nov 24 2025

Ahead of Small Business Saturday, Mayor Bowser Awards Grants to Support Local DC Businesses, Announces New Funding Opportunities for Small Businesses

(Washington, DC) – Today, ahead of Small Business Saturday, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District...

Nov 21 2025

Mayor Bowser Celebrates Opening of DowntownDC Holiday Market, Supports Local Businesses with Early Release of Robust Retail Grant

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by officials from the DowntownDC BID...

Nov 17 2025

Bowser Administration Encourages Residents to Follow Safe Online Shopping Tips During the Holiday Season

(Washington, DC) – With the holiday shopping season now shifting into high gear,...

Jan 9 2023

Wishing You A Prosperous New Year

...

Sep 16 2020

Letter from the Director - CBE Law Reform

Click Here To View The Mayor's Press Release Click Here To View The Official Letter from the...

Apr 29 2020

DSLBD: Small Biz Quarterly | FY20 Q2

DSLBD SmallBiz Quarterly FY20 Q2 Download PDF (with access to links via online viewing) View...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD: SmallBiz Quarterly | FY20 Q1

DSLBD SmallBiz Quarterly FY20 Q1. View newsletter in Slideshare. Download...

Oct 15 2019

DSLBD: The Small Biz Quarterly I FY19-Q4

DSLBD FY19 Q4 Small Biz Quarterly Newsletter: https://www.slideshare.net/DSLBDDC/dslbd-...

Feb 14 2024

Fiscal Year 2023 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Acting Director Rosemary Suggs Evans

Good morning, Chairperson McDuffie, members of the Council, my colleagues in the local business...

Feb 8 2023

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance Oversight Hearing for: Department of Small and Local Business Development

Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development ...

Feb 9 2022

Fiscal Year 2021 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

February 9,2022 Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development ...

Jun 14 2021

Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Oversight Hearing for the Department of Small and Local Business Development

Statement of Kristi C. Whitfield, Director, Before the Committee on Business and Economic...

Feb 10 2021

Fiscal Year 2020 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

Good Morning, Chairman McDuffie, members of the Committee, staff, and residents of the District of...

Feb 3 2023

Bowser Administration Cuts the Ribbon on the First Black-owned Restaurant in Woodley Park

(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Saturday, February 4th, at 1:00 PM, the Department of Small and...

Sep 22 2021

Mayor Muriel Bowser Kicks Off 10th Anniversary of Citywide Art and Cultural Festival - DC Art All Night

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: September 22, 2021 CONTACT: Shayne Wells (DMPED)...

Jul 27 2020

Public Notices: Proposed Rulemaking (N0094810)

The Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (“Director”),...

Mar 22 2020

Small Business Recovery Microgrants

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Mar 18 2020

Small Business Financial Assistance Now Available Through the SBA

Greetings District Small Business Community, Yesterday, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield Hosts 2nd Episode of Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to Rise Podcast

Access to capital is critical for many small business owners and DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield Hosts Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to Rise Podcast

DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield was honored to host Mayor Bowser's Every Opportunity to...

Dec 6 2019

Director Whitfield, Culture Coffee Too Owner Join DC Storefront Podcast

This is a fantastic episode featuring DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield and Ms. Veronica Cooper...

Aug 1 2019

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement WAMU.com, 8/1/19 Most D.C....

Aug 1 2019

Kojo In Your Community: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurship And Employment East Of The River

Kojo In Your Community: Small Businesses, Entrepreneurship And Employment East Of The River WAMU...

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Office Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm

Connect With Us
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 850 North, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-3900
Fax: (202) 654-6032
TTY: (202) 727-3900
Email: [email protected]

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

Current Funding Opportunities

FY 2026 Robust Retail Citywide Grants

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will accept applications for the FY26 Robust Retail Citywide Grants.

The FY 2026 Robust Retail Citywide grant(s) support existing DC-based retail businesses in maintaining operations and viability. DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 per business to approximately 48 businesses from the $480,000 in available Fiscal Year 2026 funding.