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Spring is always a busy and exciting time of year for DMPED! Earlier this month, Mayor Muriel Bowser released her 12th and final budget, Grow DC, which continues her commitment to strengthening the District’s economy and livelihood for DC residents. Please take time to learn what’s in this year’s budget, as there are proposals for strengthening and growing our economy, and measures proposed to make it easier, less expensive, and more predictable to do business in DC!
April is also Second Chance Month and May is Small Business Month and we plan to celebrate the entrepreneurs who are returning citizens and our other small businesses, because an inclusive economy is a strong economy, and DC is a place for all business owners to thrive!
And last but not least, go and check out We MAKE DC (located at 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW). WE MAKE DC is a retail and cultural activation in the Golden Triangle, an active multi-dimensional space that brings together the makers, artists, musicians, and storytellers who make this city what it is. Produced by Shop Made Brands and led by Stacey Price, WE MAKE DC is part of the DC250 activations and celebrates DC’s culture and people during the months we are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
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Grow DC

Mayor Bowser’s FY27 Budget – Grow DC supports major redevelopment projects through targeted neighborhood investments, continues to invest in programs that help diversify our economy, help small businesses thrive, and reduces the cost of doing business by lowering business-related fees.
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$132 million to continue the renovation of Capital One Arena, preserving a world-class entertainment venue at the heart of Downtown DC, in addition to $40 million expedited in the Fiscal Year 2026 supplemental budget
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$110M for development at Hill East, Fletcher Johnson, and Poplar Point
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Policy changes that support infrastructure improvements, civic projects, redevelopment, and property acquisition in Downtown DC and Southwest DC
Supporting Local DC Businesses
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$6.5M for Great Streets and citywide grants to support local businesses including restaurants and retailers, to stabilize and grow
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$500 million for horizontal infrastructure to support a new multi-use sports and entertainment district on the RFK Campus
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$7M for the Vitality Fund and Tech Ecosystem Fund, which fund, attract, and expand businesses
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$1M to help Children’s Hospital find a new home here in DC
Making it Easier to Do Business
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We are also making it easier, less expensive, and more predictable to do business in the District by reducing business license and certificate of occupancy fees, cutting red tape, and creating permanent, sustained investments in business attraction and retention.
Together, these investments reflect a plan for how DC responds to the existing climate and creates a more competitive and diversified economy, a downtown that is vibrant and full of opportunity, and a housing market that is producing more efficiently and equitably across the District.
To learn more about this year’s budget, visit budget.dc.gov.
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Second Chance Month
 Here directly from Ngina Thomas, owner of Studio Chique
In honor of Second Chance Month, we’re proud to spotlight Ngina Thomas, owner of Studio Chique, a luxury hair, nail, and wellness salon in the District.
After rebuilding her life post-incarceration, Ngina has grown her business into a thriving community staple, demonstrating what’s possible when returning citizens have access to opportunity. In fact, research consistently shows that the vast majority of people returning home are committed to working, supporting their families, and contributing positively to their communities.
According to the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, in DC, one in seven residents has a publicly available criminal record, which can create barriers to employment, housing, and stability. Mayor Bowser remains committed to breaking down those barriers by strengthening reentry pathways that support education, employment, housing, and mental health.
Ngina’s journey reflects that commitment. After founding Studio Chique in 2012, she expanded from a 1,700-square-foot salon on Georgia Avenue into a 4,600-square-foot, three-story space, transforming a once-vacant, blighted site into a three-story oasis on Rhode Island Avenue NE that provides luxury beauty experiences to residents and visitors of the District of Columbia.
“Second chances give you the opportunity to reset,” Ngina shared. “I am so grateful to have been given another chance at life, another chance at improving the quality of life for myself, and so many others by building a business here.”
In FY2024, DMPED supported Studio Chique with an $85,000 Great Streets grant to help fuel that growth. The Great Streets grant provides funding for small businesses in designated commercial corridors to make capital improvements to their businesses and create new job opportunities for District residents.
Second chances means strengthening DC’s economy, workforce, and future.
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The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is accepting applications for its Fiscal Year 2027 Art Bank Program, which purchases artwork from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations for display in District government buildings. Individual artists may receive up to $15,000, and nonprofit galleries or organizations up to $25,000. Applications close on Monday, May 18, 2026. Learn more about this grant program.
CAH is now accepting applications for its FY27 General Operating Support grant, offering flexible funding to strengthen the capacity of DC‑based arts, humanities, and arts education organizations. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, May 5 at 5 pm. Learn more here.
Applications are open for the Special Event Relief Fund, which helps cover District government fees for free, outdoor events that celebrate DC culture and drive local economic impact. Applications are open on a rolling basis for events occurring through Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Applications are open for the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (CPAF). CPAF provides grants of up to $300,000 or 25% of the sale price to help eligible DC based businesses purchase and occupy commercial property for at least seven years. Applications are open on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated. Learn more here.
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Small Business Solution Expo
Monday, May 4, 2026 | 10 AM - 2 PM | MLK Library, 901 G St NW
Kick off DC Small Business Week with a high-energy “pull up and solve” event that offers real-time support and next steps for entrepreneurs.
Join DSLBD as they officially kick off DC Small Business Week with a high-energy, solutions-focused event designed to help entrepreneurs take action and move their businesses forward. This is not your typical resource fair—it is a hands-on, “pull up and solve” experience where small business owners can receive real-time support, get answers to their questions, and leave with clear next steps.
POWERUP DC 2026 – Small Business Summit & Expo
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 8 AM - 3 PM | MLK Library, 901 G St NW
Join DC Health Link and the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for the 2026 POWERUP DC | SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT & EXPO – an energizing event designed to equip small business owners and nonprofit leaders with the tools, insights, and connections they need to succeed. Centered on this year’s theme of Resilience, Survival, and Growth, the summit will deliver timely strategies, practical resources, and forward-looking conversations that empower entrepreneurs to strengthen their foundations, adapt to change, and accelerate their impact. For more details or to register, visit the link here.
Finders Keepers
Thursday, April 2 – Friday, May 22, 2026 | Monday to Friday, 9 AM–6 PM | Eye Street Gallery, 200 I Street SE
Fifteen local artists transform discarded and natural found objects into inventive works that explore connection and environmental responsibility. The exhibition features a wide range of media and includes workshops, performances, a neighborhood walk, and a closing artist talk. Learn more and RSVP at founddc.net/finders.
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The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 727-6365 ǀ http://dmped.dc.gov/
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