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Department of Small and Local Business Development

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Mayor Bowser Issues Stay at Home Order

Agency Home Responsive

Mayor Bowser announces financial assistance available now through the SBA

Small Business Economic Disaster Loans Now Available Through SBA!

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has accepted the District of Columbia’s declaration for assistance in the form of economic injury disaster loans following the advent of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and DC businesses can start applying now.

DSLBD operational status update for COVID-19

DSLBD's Operating Status During COVID-19 Emergency

Along with the rest of District Government, our agency remains operational. We are operating on a telework status and have made some modifications to how services are being provided.

DC Capital Connector

DSLBD and the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) are proud to announce the launch of the DC Capital Connector, a new online portal within the District Government that will connect small businesses with lenders and surety bonding companies. The new tool provides intelligent lender and insurance matching capabilities at no cost.

CBE Certification FAQs

Do you have CBE Certification questions? We've got answers! Visit our FAQs to learn more about the program and see if your business qualifies.

CBE Counseling Sessions

Need Certification Assistance? Sign-Up For a One-On-One Counseling Session today!

Mayor Bowser and Director Kristi Whitfield at Green Book event handing out books

Green Book: FY20 SBE Spending Guide

Mayor Bowser has announced the District Government's FY20 Small Business Enterprise (SBE) spending goal and released the FY20 Green Book. Download your copy now!

Featured Services

DC PTAC

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

E-Invoicing Module

Vendors must submit DC Government invoices electronically.

DC Payment Portal

View payments made by the District of Columbia Government to vendors.

Agency Subcontracting Requirement Waiver Requests

A listing of waiver requests submitted by District Contracting Officers to DSLBD during the current...

Sports Wagering License Waiver Requests

A listing of Sports Wagering license waiver requests submitted by District Contracting Officers to...

Current DSLBD small business grants.

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DC Business Toolkit

Latest

Jan 12 2020

Mayor Bowser to Announce $2.3 Million in Great Streets Grants to Local Businesses

Mayor to Release Study on Supporting Women- and Minority-Owned Small Businesses.

Jan 8 2020

New Online Portal Now Live to Connect Small Businesses with Access to Capital

Second Annual Access to Capital Event Celebrates $200,000 in District Funds Leveraged to Create...

Nov 25 2019

Mayor Bowser Releases FY20 Green Book with a $910 Million Small Business Spending Goal by District Government Agencies

For Fifth Straight Year, Mayor Builds on Commitment to Support DC Small Businesses with Increase in...

Oct 10 2019

Mayor Bowser Highlights Investments to Empower Returning Citizens to Build Pathways to Entrepreneurship

The Aspire to Entrepreneurship program which has had 60 residents benefit from intensive business...

Oct 9 2019

Mayor Bowser to Highlight Investments to Empower Returning Citizens to Build Pathways to Entrepreneurship

(Washington, DC) – On Thursday, October 10, at 11:30 a.m., Mayor Muriel Bowser will highlight...

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

Sep 24 2018

DSLBD: The Quarterly Advisor

September Newsletter

Jun 22 2018

DSLBD: The Quarterly Advisor

June Newsletter

Jan 15 2020

Fiscal Year 2019 Performance Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

Download Director's Whitfield's Complete Testimony Watch Director Whitfield's Testimony on DSLBD...

Nov 6 2019

Public Hearing on B23-0438, B23-0432, B23-0439

Download complete testimony

Jun 3 2019

Public Hearing on B23-0131, the Ward 7 and Ward 8 Restaurant Incentive Program Establishment Act of 2019

Good afternoon, Councilmember McDuffie, members of the Committee, and Committee staff. I am Kristi...

Apr 3 2019

Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Oversight Hearing Testimony of Director Whitfield

Good afternoon, Councilmember McDuffie, members of the Committee, and Committee staff. I am Kristi...

Mar 22 2020

Small Business Recovery Microgrants

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Mar 18 2020

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

NOTICE: The Public Health Emergency is now in effect through April 24; school and government reopen...

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....

Nov 27 2019

DSLBD Celebrates Small Business Saturday and #GivingTuesday 2019 With the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Catalogue for Philanthropy and D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development Team Up ...

Nov 18 2019

Art All Night 2019 Special Announcement

DSLBD wrapped up its most successful Art All Night ever in late September 2019, with more than 110,...

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....

DSLBD’s Tweets

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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 Celebrates Small Business Saturday Across the District

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In case you missed it, Small Business Saturday has now grown into a thriving celebration of small businesses in the United States. What was once a small marketing initiative by American Express to grab a piece of the holiday pie that is Thanksgiving weekend is now a nationwide event encompassing thousands of Main Streets and small businesses, including our own here in the District!

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