Photo by army.arch *Adam*
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a program today that will give a helping hand to several hundred businesses serving communities east of the Anacostia River.
Project 500, a partnership between American University’s Center for Innovation in the Capital and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity will provide resources to 500 “disadvantaged small businesses,” helping them to “grow in revenue and size over the next three years,” according to a release. Targeted businesses in Wards 7 and 8 will include home-based companies and start-up ventures. Help will come in the form of “hands-on training, capacity building, mentoring, and networking support.”
From data gathered between 2006 -2010, the Urban Institute found that a vast majority of D.C.’s economically challenged neighborhoods are located in Wards 7 and 8. And not much has changed, despite Mayor Bowser cutting the ribbons of a Thai restaurant in Ward 7 and a juice bar in Ward 8 last year.
“We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs in the District, particularly east of the river, because when small businesses thrive, they expand access to high-quality goods, services, and job opportunities right in our neighborhoods,” said Courtney Snowden, deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity.
The announcement kicked off the second annual innoMAYtion, a series of events that Bowser says will “shine a light on the innovative ideas, policies, and programs that are improving our most underserved communities.”
Although many of the events are focused on technology, DMPED spokesman Joaquin McPeek says that it extends to other creative ways to serve underrepresented communities. “InnoMAYtion is a way to showcase D.C.’s innovation ecosystem.”
