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Department of Small and Local Business Development

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CBE Green Grant Now Open

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that it is accepting applications for the second round of Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Green Contract Services Grants (“CBE Green”) for Fiscal Year 2023.

#iBuyDC Challenge 2022

In support of Small Business Saturday, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is presenting the #iBuyDC Challenge this holiday season. This social media campaign is designed to encourage consumers to Shop Small®.

FY23 Food Waste Innovation Grant is now open

FY23 Food Waste Innovation Grants

These grants will provide support for restaurants, food manufacturers, shared commercial kitchens, and commercial corridors like Main Streets and Business Improvement Districts to minimize their food waste going to landfill and minimize urban rat populations.

The 2022 Green Book, the District’s SBE Opportunity Guide

Mayor Bowser Releases the 2022 Green Book, the District’s Small Business Enterprise Opportunity Guide

The Green Book website allows SBEs to search for opportunities in real-time through an interactive dashboard. The site brings the Green Book to life with dynamic spending data that businesses can easily sort by District agency and by-products or services. Through the website, District small and local businesses will be able to easily identify current opportunities and make...

2021 Performance Oversight Hearing Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

February 9, 2022, Director Kristi C. Whitfield testified before the Committee on Business and Economic Development and Chairman Kenyan McDuffie for the 2021 Performance Oversight Hearing on behalf of the Dept of Small and Local Business Development. The work that DSLBD has done in the past year is a true testament to its' devotion to the business community of DC.

District CBE Law Reform

The Executive has listened to the small and local business community and has been working hard on strengthening the current CBE Law to weed out non-local CBEs, streamline payments to CBE subcontractors, and increase penalties for bad actors, among other comprehensive changes.

CBE Eligibility Wizard

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

Featured Services

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants.

Certification, Joint Venture

How to apply for a Joint Venture.

DC PTAC

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.

Commercial Revitalization

Our revitalization programs help retail corridors and neighborhoods.

District CBE Waiver Portal

Find Certified Companies

DC Business Toolkit

Latest

Nov 18 2022

Mayor Bowser Kicks Off a Holly Jolly DC Holiday Season, Opens the Downtown Holiday Market

Residents encouraged to shop local and celebrate a #HollyJollyDC at the Downtown Holiday Market,...

Oct 18 2022

The Bowser Administration Invites Certified Business Enterprises to the Third Annual District Connect Matchmaking and Networking Event

Sep 21 2022

Mayor Bowser Invites Residents to the Citywide Art and Cultural Festival – DC Art All Night

(WASHINGTON, DC) – This week, Mayor Muriel Bowser presents Art All Night, the District&

Aug 29 2022

15 Returning Citizens Get the Chance to Win up to $10,000 Toward Their Entrepreneurial Dream

Aug 8 2022

Mayor Bowser Announces Record $1.1 Billion Small Business Enterprise Spending in FY21

DC Government Surpassed $917 Million Spend Goal in FY21

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 in...

Feb 13 2020

DSLBD: SmallBiz Quarterly | FY20 Q1

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

Oct 15 2019

DSLBD: The Small Biz Quarterly I FY19-Q4

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

Jun 17 2019

DSLBD: The SmallBiz Quarterly | FY19-Q3

May 2019 Newsletter

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...

Nov 6 2020

Public Hearing on B23-0918 & B23-0959 (Virtual)

Download Complete Testimony Good afternoon, Chairman McDuffie, distinguished members of the...

Sep 15 2020

Public Hearing on B23-0860 & B23-0471 (Virtual)

Download Complete Testimony

Jun 8 2020

Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

Download Complete Testimony Good afternoon, Chairman McDuffie, members of the Council, staff,...

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

Jul 27 2020

Public Notices: Proposed Rulemaking (N0094810)

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

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 the U....

Mar 18 2020

Update on DSLBD's Operating Status During COVID-19 Emergency

While the District of Columbia Government began modifying its operations starting Monday, March 16...

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...

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...

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

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....

Aug 1 2019

Anacostia Residents Seek Development Without Displacement

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

DSLBD’s Tweets

Tweets by SmallBizDC

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]