D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development on Thursday announced $6.8 million in grants to small businesses and local entrepreneurs. 

According to Bowser, 65 businesses will receive the grants with investments ranging from $50,000 to $750,000. The funds have been made available through the Great Streets Retail Small Business grant program, the Locally Made grant program, and the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund.

“We haven’t just been throwing money and resources around randomly,” said Bowser at a press conference. “We’ve been making strategic investments in your business so you can make strategic investments in our communities and our residents.”

Since 2020, more than $350 million has been awarded to local businesses. According to Bowser, it’s part of a larger endeavor from the District to assist in the economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We make a small investment and you turn it into really powerful things for your business. And we know what the last two-and-a-half years have been like. So we’re doing our very best to make sure that the government can be a partner and not a burden,” said Bowser.

As a former 2015 recipient of the Great Streets grant program, Constantine Stavropoulos lauded the impact of the funding, as well as the District’s work to streamline new applications.

“We were able to upgrade our infrastructure and it was extremely helpful. So these grants, especially during these times, the grants are really, really important and the lifeblood,” said Stavropoulos, the owner of Tryst Trading Company, a restaurant group that runs several cafés and diners.

Funding from the grant programs will also allow businesses to invest in their own manufacturing. According to John Falcicchio, the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, the Locally Made grant has allowed City-State Brewing to can their own beer instead of paying to ship it off-site. The funding provided $145,000 to pay for the equipment, which cost $170,000.

“They had to send the beer that they brewed out to a canner who charged them… $5 a case to can it. So you could see how that could cut into their bottom line,” said Falcicchio. 

Officials also encouraged local entrepreneurs and business owners to utilize D.C.’s website for future funding opportunities. Among those that can be found are the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, which can provide up to $750,000 or 25% in down payment costs to buy commercial properties. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) said these grants are just some of the ways the District is pushing for economic equity.

“One of the ways that you generate wealth in this country is to own the places that you work,” said McDuffie. “Black and brown residents, women-owned businesses. This is what it’s all about.”