District officials announced Monday the recipients of nearly $1.1 million in grants to 25 small businesses, choosing Atlas Brew Works’ new Bridge District location in Southeast Washington to highlight the funding ahead of Small Business Saturday.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said the fiscal 2025 awards from the city’s Great Streets and Emerging Retail Fund grant programs range from $10,000 to $25,000. Atlas Brew Works received support from the city’s Food Access Fund.
“Small businesses are the heart of our economy and an engine of opportunity in the District,” Ms. Bowser said. “With every grant awarded, we’re fueling innovation, creating jobs and opportunities, and building stronger neighborhoods across all eight wards.”
The mayor urged residents to support local businesses during the holiday shopping season.
Ms. Bowser also announced that the next round of funding for the Great Streets, Emerging Retail Initiative and Locally Made Manufacturing Grant programs will open Dec. 12. Businesses will have until Jan. 16 to apply.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development is hosting information sessions to help business owners prepare applications. More information is available at obviouslydc.com/business-funding-opportunities.
Since 2015, the Great Streets Retail, Locally Made Manufacturing, Neighborhood Prosperity Fund and Emerging Retail Initiative grant programs have awarded more than $55 million to more than 575 businesses across the District, helping create more than 2,400 jobs for D.C. residents.
New this year is the Emerging Retail Initiative, which supports existing businesses seeking to expand into vacant commercial spaces, retail incubators and market stalls. A list of fiscal 2025 grant recipients is available at dmped.dc.gov/service/grant-opportunities.
“When we invest in our small and local businesses, we are in turn supporting vibrant and thriving neighborhoods,” said Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development. “Through Mayor Bowser’s investments, we will continue to foster an inclusive business environment where opportunity thrives in every ward of our city.”
The Bowser administration also supports District businesses through the D.C. Business Capital Access Program. Administered by the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, the program expands access to capital for small businesses through three targeted programs: Collateral Support, Loan Participation and Innovation Finance.
With funding ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, the program has provided $25.4 million in capital to small business owners to leverage $65 million in loans, grants and investments, resulting in the creation of 2,300 District-based jobs. More information is available at disb.dc.gov.