DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development

Administers economic development programs in Washington, DC, supporting business growth, neighborhood revitalization, and workforce opportunities.

DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development (DMPED) is Washington, DC's economic development office inside District government. It supports business attraction, neighborhood revitalization, and commercial corridor investment across the city.

Its grant side centers on cash support and performance-based incentives for small businesses, technology companies, and commercial property owners. Current routes include the Vitality Fund, Great Streets Initiative, Technology Ecosystem Fund, Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, Washington, DC Global Soft Landing, Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program, Rhode Island Avenue Support Grant Program, Capitol Hill Construction Impact Grant Program, and Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant. The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund can reach $300,000 or 25 percent of sale price, whichever is lower; Rhode Island Avenue support can reach $350,000; and Restaurant & Retail Stabilization tops out at $50,000 per business and is administered by Capital Impact Partners. Chinatown and Rhode Island Avenue both center on five-year leases, while Global Soft Landing is aimed at international entrepreneurs and companies building a District footprint.

DMPED stands out for pairing grants with place-based development tools, including corridor support, relocation incentives, and property acquisition help. The current mix leans toward business formation, commercial retention, and neighborhood activation rather than open-ended research support, with several active deadlines clustered in June and July 2026. City First Enterprises administers the property acquisition route, and DMPED serves as the public entry point for applicants seeking District capital support.