dslbd

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Agency Home Responsive

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.

FY20 Robust Retail Citywide Grants

DSLBD is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2020 Robust Retail: Citywide Grants starting January 15, 2020 and closing March 15, 2020 at 2 p.m. ET. Learn more and apply now!

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!

Mayor Bowser Joins DSLBD for WeAspire Grant Announcement

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the availability of $250,000 in grant funding to support the District’s Aspire to Entrepreneurship Program, which helps returning citizens and justice-involved residents gain the skills they need to start and operate their own District-based business

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!

Featured Services

Current DSLBD small business grants.

Sports Wagering License Waiver Requests

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

Agency Subcontracting Requirement Waiver Requests

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

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.

Find Certified Companies

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...

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

Mar 20 2018

DSLBD: The Quarterly Advisor

March 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...

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,...

Oct 31 2019

Mayor Bowser to Celebrate National Kidpreneur Day

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: October 31, 2019 CONTACT: LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011: latoya....

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....

Jul 5 2019

Director Whitfield Joins DCn2Perspectives Podcast

Hosts Tina Whitlow and Shawn Lightfoot interview DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield of DC Government...

Jun 19 2019

Made in DC Pop-Up Comes to Reagan Airport

Washington Informer James Wright Made in DC Pop-Up Comes to Reagan Airport Kristi Whitfield,...

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]