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Department of Small and Local Business Development

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Ward 8 CIF Grant Program

CALLING WARD 8 BUSINESSES!

The Ward 8 Grant Program is an exciting initiative by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) designed to empower local entrepreneurs and enhance business opportunities in Ward 8.

If you’re a resident of Ward 8 with a business, now is the perfect time to take advantage of this support and set yourself up for long-term success. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your business—sign up today!

DC Art All Night

Save the date for Art All Night 2026, where DC glows after dark with creativity, culture, and community.

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.

FY26 Green Book

The Green Book serves as a roadmap to DC government spending with CBEs, providing valuable insights into procurement goals, upcoming opportunities, and ways for small and local businesses to navigate the contracting process successfully.

Made in DC vending opportunity application

Made in DC Retail Residency — Vendor Call Opportunity!

The Department of Small and Local Business Development is proud to announce that vendor applications are open for the FY26 Made in DC Retail Residency, an initiative presented by DSLBD and curated by Steadfast Supply.

Eligible vendors are makers with strong, retail-ready products, compelling brand stories, and a demonstrated commitment to expanding their retail presence.

Apply By August 27, 2026

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 and Funding Opportunities

District CBE Waiver Portal

File a Complaint with DSLBD

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

DC APEX

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

Commercial Revitalization

Our revitalization programs help retail corridors and neighborhoods.

Certification, Joint Venture

How to apply for a Joint Venture.

Latest

May 6 2026

Mayor Bowser Awards $500K to Nearly 50 Local Retailers

(Washington, DC) – Today, during DC Small Business Week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the...

Apr 29 2026

Mayor Bowser and DSLBD Invite Residents, Entrepreneurs, and Business Owners to Celebrate DC Small Business Week with Exciting Events and Opportunities for Growth

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

Mar 10 2026

Mayor Bowser Announces Art All Night 2026 Scheduled for September 11–12, Bringing Free, High-Energy Arts Programming to All Eight Wards

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

Mar 4 2026

Mayor Bowser Invites Residents to Celebrate Women’s History Month at Free Events Across the District

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on Women...

Mar 3 2026

Mayor Bowser Announces New Legislation to Cut Red Tape and Make It Easier to Do Business in the District

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced two pieces of legislation designed to...

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 20 2026

Mayor Bowser to Hold Situational Update on the Potomac Interceptor Break

(Washington, DC) – Today, Friday, February 20 at 3:30 pm, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Water...

Feb 10 2026

Mayor Bowser to Show Love to DC’s Seniors at Annual Valentine’s Event

(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, February 11, at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the...

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”),...

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)

DSLBD Announces New “CBE Online” Services

Date Released:

Wed, 01/29/2014

(Washington, DC) – The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has recently launched its new Certified Business Enterprise (“CBE”) Online application system designed to simplify and quicken the application process for CBE certification. Businesses will now be able to submit all required information in the online system without visiting the office. For both returning and new applicants, this enhancement translates to a more streamlined approach to the certification process.