DC’s Main Streets Program promotes the revitalization of the DC business corridor by working with non-profits to secure funding, share information, connect resources, and connect small businesses to the DC government. In turn, these services attract consumers, improve commercial properties, and retain and recruit businesses. Their services include:
This program serves small business owners or aspiring business owners in DC. These resources provide small, local businesses with the tools necessary to thrive. This work creates great change for the DC community as a whole through the creation of jobs, economic activity, and more vibrant neighborhoods.
DC Main Streets help strengthen the local economy by supporting the small, local, and minority-owned businesses that give DC’s neighborhoods their character and economic vitality. Through business support, technical assistance, and neighborhood-based economic development, Main Streets help businesses grow, create jobs, and keep economic activity rooted in DC communities. In 2025 alone, Main Street economic activity generated 616 jobs across the District.
The Coalition runs a neighborhood commercial corridor working group, which connects BIDs, Main Street, and Small Business Associations under one umbrella and allows them to work together. The Coalition also maintains DCSmallBizHelp.com, a robust resource hub and support organization directory designed to help you discover, connect to, and navigate DC’s small business ecosystem.
The Coalition advocates for continued investment in and coordination of DC Main Streets as a critical part of the District’s small business ecosystem. Strong Main Streets provide businesses with trusted, neighborhood-based support while connecting them to the broader resources, financing, technical assistance, and opportunities available across DC.
These 101s are part of The Coalition’s broader work to help DC’s community development field understand the systems that shape our city and identify opportunities to make them work better. Explore our other research, resources, and convenings to go deeper.
Become a member of The Coalition today, and join the fight for a District where all residents can live in thriving communities that are racially, economically and socially just!
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