FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 28, 2022
CONTACT:
Natalia Vanegas (DMPED) – (202) 769-7751; [email protected]
Charlene Louis (DSLBD)- (202) 578-6023; [email protected]
Bowser Administration Announces May 2-7, 2022, as DC Small Business Week to Honor and Support the Outstanding Small Business Owners in the District
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) announced DC Small Business Week taking place next week from May 2- 5, 2022, to honor the District's 30,000 plus small businesses. Mayor Bowser will host a series of events and summits as well as announce upcoming grant opportunities for small businesses throughout the week to further highlight this Administration's continued and ongoing support of small businesses.
"Small businesses are the backbone of D.C.'s economy," says Director Kristi Whitfield, "This week is not only a celebration of our small businesses but also a way to empower them with the knowledge they need to thrive. Our department is so enthusiastic when it comes to furthering this Administration's mission of maximizing opportunities for all of our local businesses, particularly as we focus on equity."
For more than 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. Mayor Bowser is proud to support this effort.
To further honor this week, Director Whitfield announced $1.5 million in inaugural grants, which will continue to support the District's over 500 equity impact enterprises. "I know this Department and Administration is fully committed to supporting these businesses. These entities are cornerstones in supporting our communities and residents."
Events during DC Small Business Week 2022 are free to the public but limited space. Attendees are encouraged to register for these virtual and in-person experiences.
Here is the schedule of events:
May 2, 2022: Mayor Bowser Kicks Off DC Small Business Week Press Conference
Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development will announce the grantees of the $1.25 million Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund (IIEIF), which is designed to address the gap in capital for businesses that would otherwise not receive early-stage funding through conventional financing.
Location: Manifest Barbershop, 1807 Florida Ave NW, Washington DC 20009
Time: 11:30 AM- 12:30 PM
May 2, 2022: How to Open a Business in D.C.
Learn how to navigate through DCRA's regulatory process when it comes to following 4 basic steps. During this event, the DCRA Small Business Resource Center will be featuring subject matter experts, including Business Licensing and Corporations professionals. Staff from the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue will be on hand to answer any business tax registration questions.
Location: Virtual
Time: 10:00 AM
Event Details: How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA's Regulatory Process (ecenterdirect.com)
May 2, 2022: DC Small Business Week Kickoff – Celebrating one year of Kiva
In recognition of the 1st anniversary of D.C. Kiva Hub, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) will be hosting a live Instagram discussion on what the D.C. Kiva Hub is and how it helps D.C. small businesses gain access to funding. The DC Kiva Hub is part of DSLBD's District Capitalized program that supports financing the creation, operation, and growth of D.C. businesses and the partners who help them.
Location: Virtual-DSLBD Instagram (@smallbiz)
Time: 3:00 PM
May 2 and 4, 2022: Talk Business After Hours
This is an opportunity for you to speak one-on-one with a DCRA Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) staff over the phone to help you navigate through the regulatory process after hours. During that time, you will gain in-depth knowledge of registering with corporations (i.e., Limited Liability Company, Corporations, Non-Profit, Zoning, etc.) and the basic steps of obtaining a business license.
Event Details: https://business.dc.gov/sbrc/one-one-business-development-sessions
May 2-5, 2022: One-On-One Call Session: Steps to Obtaining a Business License
The DCRA Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) staff will provide one-on-one assistance in navigating through the regulatory process via phone. Callers will gain in-depth knowledge of registering with DCRA's Corporations Division. Additionally, you will receive assistance with the zoning application process, e.g., obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy and/or Home Occupancy Permit.
Event Details: https://dcrasbrc.ecenterdirect.com/events
May 3, 2022: Power Up DC: Small Business Summit
Each year since its inception in 2015, POWERUP DC has been a valuable resource for the D.C. small business community. POWERUP DC was developed to celebrate and support the small business community. During POWERUP DC, government and private sector representatives present the latest business trends and contracting opportunities for small businesses.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Time: 8:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Event Details: https://www.dchealthlink.com/powerupdc2022
May 4, 2022: Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents: D.C. Business Expo
The DC Business Expo: Resources for Financial Success is a way for DC-based businesses to reach financial success by learning about financial resources available from the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), Department of Insurance Securities and Banking (DISB), and D.C. Public Library (DCPL), & their access to capital partners.
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW Washington, DC 20001
Time: 11:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Event Details: https://dslbd.dc.gov/DCBusinessEXPO
May 4, 2022: Destination DC – Travel Rally 2022 Press Conference
Join Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, Destination DC, and tourism and hospitality partners for a Travel Rally and press conference focused on recovery during U.S. Travel Association's National Travel and Tourism Week. The in-person event is organized in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association.
Location: Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:15AM
May 5, 2022: Ribbon Cutting for FRESHFARM Dupont Circle Market Grand Opening
The Dupont Circle Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of FRESHFARM Dupont Circle. The market hopes to increase access to fresh produce and stimulate the local economy.
Location: FRESHFARM Market, 1900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Event Details: https://dupontcirclebid.org/do/freshfarm-dupont-circle-thursday-market-grand-opening-and-ribbon-cutting-ceremony
May 7, 2022: Grand Opening of Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership
Vital Voices is proud to announce the new Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women's Leadership, located at 1509 16th Street, N.W., among other high-profile institutions and think tanks just minutes from the White House and Black Lives Matter plaza in the city's new "Equality Corridor."
Location: Vital Voices Global Headquarters, 1509 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Time: 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Event Details: https://vitalvoicesopenhouse.splashthat.com
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