Washington has always been a city of change. From my pulpit, I have watched neighborhoods rise, struggle, and rise again. I have prayed with families who have called this city home for generations, and I have welcomed newcomers chasing opportunity. Today, though, the change feels different. And at this pivotal moment for D.C.’s economy, we cannot afford to mistake growth alone for progress.
The truth is simple: a growing economy means little if it does not meet the needs of the people who sustain it. And meeting people’s needs, in turn, requires an economy strong enough to support opportunity. In the communities I serve, many of them historically underrepresented, we feel both sides of that tension every day.
I see it in the small business owner worried about rising costs and fewer customers downtown. I see it in the working parent who has found stability through flexible work but fears losing it. I see it in young people trying to build a future in a city that feels increasingly out of reach, and in the senior citizens who have struggled to access the DC they grew up knowing. These are not abstract policy debates. They are lived realities.
That is why this moment calls for balance, not extremes.
There are those who believe the path forward is to simply push for growth at any cost, to bring the city “back” by doubling down on old models of work and commerce. But we cannot ignore what has changed. The way people work has evolved. Flexible and hybrid work are not passing trends; they are part of a new economic reality. For many in my congregation, that flexibility has meant the difference between holding onto a job and falling behind; between being present for their families and being stretched beyond their limits.
Embracing flexible work is not a concession. It is an opportunity. It allows D.C. to remain competitive, to attract talent, and to support a workforce that is more resilient. Rather than forcing a return to what was, we should be asking how to build something better.
At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the role businesses play in the life of our city. A truly pro-business environment is not about choosing corporations over communities. It is about recognizing that thriving businesses create jobs, generate revenue, and invest in neighborhoods. When businesses struggle or leave, it is the most vulnerable communities that feel the impact first and hardest.
That is also why policymakers should be cautious about proposals that make everyday life more expensive while discouraging economic activity. Ideas like the proposed DC Delivery Tax may appear modest, but in practice they place additional burdens on working families, seniors, people with disabilities, and small businesses already navigating rising costs. The reality is that for many residents, delivery services are not a luxury; they are a part of how people access groceries, meals, and essential goods while balancing work, caregiving, and transportation challenges. At a time when D.C. should be focused on creating the conditions for residents and businesses to thrive, invest and expand, we should avoid policies that risk inhibiting economic growth or making it harder for residents and local employers to thrive.
Being pro-business, then, should mean being practical. It means creating a city where entrepreneurs can open their doors without unnecessary barriers, where employers feel confident investing, and where small businesses — the backbone of so many D.C. neighborhoods — can survive and grow.
From where I stand, this is not an either-or choice. The needs of workers and the success of businesses are deeply connected. When people have access to good jobs, fair wages, and flexibility, they contribute more fully to the economy. When businesses have the support they need to thrive, they create the very opportunities our communities depend on.
In our congregation, we often talk about stewardship, the responsibility to care for what we have been given, not just for today but for the future. That principle applies just as much to our city’s economy as it does to our personal lives. We have an opportunity right now to steward D.C.’s growth wisely, to ensure it is not only strong but also just and sustainable.
D.C. has never been a static city. Its strength has always come from its ability to adapt, to reinvent, and to bring people together across differences. At this fragile moment, that spirit matters more than ever.
Growth is important. But growth alone is not enough. If we want a city that truly works for everyone we must commit to balancing economic expansion with the real, everyday needs of the people who call Washington home.
