OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MAYOR
FOR PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) invites the submission of applications for the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants.
Funding for this program is authorized from the Economic Development Special Account
pursuant to DC Official Code §2-1225.21 and also pursuant to the Great Streets Neighborhood Retail Priority Area Amendment Act of 2013, effective December 24, 2013 (D.C. Law 20-61;
D.C. Official Code § 2-1217.71 et seq.).
Grant funds purpose and availability
The purpose of the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvement Grants is to support
existing small businesses, attract new businesses, increase the District’s tax base, create new job opportunities for District residents, and transform emerging commercial corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers. DMPED will award individual grants of up to a maximum of $85,000 each to foster growth among small businesses. Grant funds will be utilized to reimburse grantees for capital expenditures to improve their place of business or for the purchase and installation of heavy equipment that will be used onsite at the business location.
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants for the grant are owners of small retail and service-oriented businesses. The following types of businesses are ineligible to receive this grant funding: adult entertainment establishments, liquor stores, nightclubs, bars, banks, phone stores, hotels, and home-based businesses.
Eligible applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the grant:
1. Be located within a Great Streets corridor. Prospective applicants can verify their location
eligibility by using the interactive mapping tool at greatstreets.dc.gov.
2. Be a registered business in Good Standing with the DC Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), the DC
Department of Employment Services (DOES), and the federal Internal Revenue Service
(IRS).
3. Retain site control of the business property either through fee simple ownership or an
executed contract or lease with the property owner with a minimum unexpired term of at
least two (2) years.
4. Provide proof of property and liability insurance (an insurance quote is permitted for new businesses) compliant with the requirements set forth in the grant application.
Prior to the execution of a grant agreement with the District, the grantee must enter into a First Source Agreement with DOES. More information about the First Source Employment Program can be found at does.dc.gov.
Application process
The grant application will be released on Tuesday, September 9th, 2014. The grant application will be available on the Great Streets website at greatstreets.dc.gov. PLEASE NOTE: this is a rolling application. Submitted applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis commencing on Monday, September 29th, 2014. DMPED reserves the right to close the application at any time.
DMPED will host multiple informational sessions on the Great Streets corridors to provide an overview of the grant process and to answer questions from potential applicants. Once
confirmed, details about the informational sessions will be posted on the Great Streets website at greatstreets.dc.gov.
Please direct all inquiries to:
LaToyia Hampton, Grants Manager
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
1100 4th Street SW, Suite E500
Washington, DC 20024
Telephone: (202) 724-7648
Email: LaToyia.Hampton@dc.gov
Bates Area Civic Association 