dslbd

Department of Small and Local Business Development

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Read Mayor Bowser’s Presentation on DC’s COVID-19 Situational Update: October 22.
DC Entered Phase Two of Reopening on June 22. View the Guidance.

Agency Home Responsive

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.

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.

DSLBD Training and Event Calendar homepage

DSLBD supports the growth and development of District small businesses and entrepreneurs through advocacy and education, and offers regular training sessions and workshops on topics that are important to the business community. Learn more about DSLBD’s digital workshops.

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!

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!

Featured Services

Current DSLBD small business grants.

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.

E-Invoicing Module

Vendors must submit DC Government invoices electronically.

DC Payment Portal

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

Sports Wagering License Waiver Requests

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

Find Certified Companies

DC Business Toolkit

Latest

Sep 29 2020

Mayor Bowser Introduces Legislation to Strengthen CBE Law and Increase Access to Opportunities for District-Based Businesses

Proposed Legislation Filed Today Would Close Loopholes and Increase Access to Business for CBEs

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...

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

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 full text (PDF) Good afternoon, Chairman McDuffie, members of the Council, staff, and...

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...

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

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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]