dslbd

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Agency Home Responsive

FY2025 Robust Retail

The 2025 Robust Retail Citywide Grant offers up to $10,000 to support 48 DC retail businesses, strengthening their operations and sustainability. With $480,000 in funding, DSLBD is committed to keeping DC’s retail scene thriving.

Featured Services

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants.

DC APEX

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

File a Complaint with DSLBD

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

Certification, Joint Venture

How to apply for a Joint Venture.

Commercial Revitalization

Our revitalization programs help retail corridors and neighborhoods.

District CBE Waiver Portal

Latest

FEB

Statement on February 2025 Revenue Estimates

(Washington, DC) –Today, the DC Government released the revised revenue estimates for the...

FEB

Mayor Bowser Launches Applications for 2025 Robust Retail Grant Program

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

JAN

Mayor Bowser Announces Art All Night 2025 Dates and DC Main Streets Awardees

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

DEC

Mayor Bowser Announces Holiday Safety Initiatives and Encourages DC to Shop Local

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Director Rosemary Suggs-Evans of the...

NOV

Mayor Bowser Encourages Residents to Shop Local and Support DC Small Businesses This Holiday Season

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

JAN

Wishing You A Prosperous New Year

...

SEP

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

DSLBD: Small Biz Quarterly | FY20 Q2

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

FEB

DSLBD: SmallBiz Quarterly | FY20 Q1

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

OCT

DSLBD: The Small Biz Quarterly I FY19-Q4

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

FEB

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

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

Before the Committee on Business and Economic Development ...

FEB

Fiscal Year 2021 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

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

JUN

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

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

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

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

Public Notices: Proposed Rulemaking (N0094810)

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

MAR

Small Business Recovery Microgrants

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

MAR

Small Business Financial Assistance Now Available Through the SBA

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

FEB

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

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

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

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement

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

AUG

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...

Press Releases

Newsletters

Testimonies

Advisories

News

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: dslbd@dc.gov