DMPED

Calling all aspiring photographers in Washington, DC: This summer, our nation's #1 park and rec system is hosting photography and editing programs at various locations throughout our city. Key dates: 📸Photography: June 6-Sep 26 📸Editing: June 10-Sep 23

DC's annual Capital Pride Parade is less than one month away! 🏳️‍🌈 Mark your calendars for a uniquely DC celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community—as we walk together with joy, spirit, and, of course, pride. Join us: S.DC.Gov/MMBPride2026

Join us for our upcoming information sessions to learn more about Mayor Bowser's new Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, a $3.875M fund to support DC's brick and mortar restaurant and retailers: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 11 AM – 2 PM Thursday, May 28, 2026, 10 AM – 11 AM Register today by visiting capitalimpact.org/programs/nouri…

DC is home to more than 75,000 small businesses — more than 98% of all businesses in our city, and they employ nearly half of our private-sector workforce. This month, DMPED is accepting applications for several grant programs designed to support business that are committed to investing in DC over the long term. Together these programs are working to diversify DC’s economy, strengthen key commercial corridors, and help businesses choose DC when considering where to start or expand their businesses.

We're celebrating 35 years of DC Black Pride this weekend in Washington, DC. An important milestone, and a testament to the enduring power of DC's Black LGBTQIA+ communities. My full proclamation:

DMPED is proud to release Washington, DC’s new Retail Strategic Plan — a data‑driven strategy to reposition and strengthen DC’s retail market and position the District for long‑term growth. This week, Deputy Mayor Nina Albert and the DC team are bringing these insights to ICSC Las Vegas to build partnerships and position Washington, DC for continued retail growth and investment. Read the Executive Summary: wdcep.com/news/washingto…

Applications are now open for Mayor Bowser's Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant and Rhode Island Avenue Support Grant. These grants are designed to support small businesses and strengthen two commercial corridors. To learn more about these business funding opportunities, join us tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, at 2 pm, for a virtual information session. Register at app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019ddfa… and visit obviouslydc.com/business-fundi… to learn more.

Twelve years ago, when Mayor Bowser took office, Skyland was little more than an empty parking lot. Since then, we’ve transformed this space into a vibrant community anchor. And today, we celebrate another milestone: cutting the ribbon on a brand‑new community park — a place for neighbors to gather, play, and build memories for years to come.

Development at Skyland Town Center was stalled for more than a decade. We just cut the ribbon at the new Skyland Town Center Community Park—part of the final phase of the three-phase development. Today, we're celebrating the community and people who stuck with tough projects.

Then and now: Skyland Town Center. Years in the making—let's keep delivering for Ward 7.

Small businesses are the backbone of Capitol Hill and every neighborhood across our city. The Capitol Hill Construction Impact Grant program ensures that our small businesses and the jobs they support remain strong during this period of disruption. To learn more about the program, join us Friday, May 15 at 12:00 pm, for a virtual information session. To register and learn more about the program visit obviouslydc.com.

We know 2025 was a hard year for our small business community. The Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant is a program to help businesses that experienced revenue loss in 2025 stay strong, stable, and rooted in our neighborhoods. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, our partners, Capital Impact Partners, will host an in-person webinar today at MLK Jr. Memorial Library from 3 – 5 pm. To register, visit capitalimpact.org/programs/nouri…

Applications are now open for Mayor Bowser's Capitol Hill Construction Impact Grant — providing short-term financial relief for small businesses affected by DDOT construction near: • Pennsylvania Ave SE & Potomac Ave SE • 8th St SE between Pennsylvania Ave SE & Virginia Ave SE Applications close on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 4 PM. Join us next Wednesday, May 13, at 12:00 pm for an in-person info session at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. To learn more about the grant opportunity, apply at obviouslydc.com/business-fundi….

111,000+ jobs are supported by the tourism and hospitality industry in Washington, DC. A great fact to celebrate today—on National Tourism Day—and all year long.

We know 2025 was a hard year for our small business community, and we're committed to creating programs that help the backbone of our economy thrive. Yesterday, @MayorBowser launched the new Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant, which is a $3.875M fund to support DC’s brick‑and‑mortar restaurants and retailers. Funded by DMPED and administered by Capital Impact Partners, this program offers grants of up to $50,000 to help businesses that experience revenue loss in 2025 stay strong, stable, and rooted in our neighborhoods.

NEW: Grants available for DC local businesses that took a hit in 2025. We want to keep neighborhood shops and restaurants open, resilient, and ready for the future. Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant applications close June 5.

As we celebrate Small Business Week, we want to recognize a few of the creative, resilient, and dedicated local entrepreneurs who help drive our city forward. Their passion, innovation, and commitment not only fuel economic growth but also shape DC’s unique identity and story. To all of the small businesses that make DC thrive: thank you. Your hard work matters, and we’re proud to champion your success.

One year later, we're doing another AMA! Tomorrow (4/30) from 10-11am, join Director Cozart on the Reddit /washingtondc sub to ask her anything about the comprehensive plan future land use map and policies. 🔗reddit.com/r/washingtondc

It's the one-year anniversary of announcing the deal with the Commanders—and here's a reminder of what we're looking forward to in 2030:

RT @MayorBowser: Ward by ward, I’ve delivered on my promises to Washington, DC. Episode 3: Ward 6 Arturo Evans's story https://t.co/2rG5XK…