dslbd

Department of Small and Local Business Development

Agency Home Responsive

DC Kiva Hub

In March 2021, Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) joined forces with Kiva, a nonprofit worldwide microlender, to offer DC businesses and DC resident entrepreneurs no-barrier, favorable term crowdfunding loans to help them open, operate, pivot and grow their business in the District of Columbia.

Get in on the Game of Sports Wagering in the District - Upcoming Workshops

This lucrative market holds many opportunities for the District’s small businesses because the law requires all licensees to have an SBE/CBE subcontracting plan. From large businesses, such as William Hill, to the smaller operators to come, they are trying to find YOUR business. Come learn how your business fits into this exciting new industry through the Betting on Small Business Power Hour Series.

The #iBuyDC Challenge

Recently, the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has launched a citywide campaign to further support and promote District businesses. This campaign, the #iBuyDC Challenge, allows residents and businesses to showcase how they support the local economy everyday while highlighting the local businesses they love to visit and challenge their friends and family to do the same to keep the challenge going.

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).

Green Book: FY21 SBE Spending Guide

Mayor Bowser has announced the District Government's FY21 Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Spending Goal and announced that the FY21 Green Book has gone all virtual with a newly created Green Book Website and Interactive District Spend Data Dashboard. Visit the GreenBookDC.com Today!

Build Back Better DC

DSLBD's Build Back Better DC video series provides District small businesses with unique access to advice and useful tips, resources, timely information and in-depth conversations with industry leaders across the various sectors. Watch now!

CBE Eligibility Wizard

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

Featured Services

District CBE Waiver Portal

DC PTAC

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

Current DSLBD Small Business Grants.

File a Complaint with DSLBD

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

E-Invoicing Module

Vendors must submit DC Government invoices electronically.

DC Payment Portal

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

Find Certified Companies

DC Business Toolkit

Latest

Apr 30 2021

Department of Small and Local Business Development Announces the 2021 Small Business Week Schedule of Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2021

Mar 25 2021

Mayor Bowser Awards $795K in Grants to District Retailers

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, as part of the District’s ongoing support for local businesses, Mayor...

Feb 12 2021

Mayor Bowser Announces Second Round of Citywide PPE Care Packages to Support Local Business Community

The Bowser administration is investing an additional $1.7 million of essential supplies to local...

Feb 2 2021

Mayor Bowser Expands DC Main Streets and Clean Team Programs to Support Commercial Corridors

Shaw Main Streets is accepting decommissioned plywood from businesses

Dec 29 2020

Mayor Bowser Awards Over $200,000 in Dream Grants to Ward 7 & 8 Microbusinesses

Through $10,000 grants, the District will provide business development support for microbusinesses...

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,...

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

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

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

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 ...

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

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]