DC Main Streets Grant Program

DC Main Streets Grant Program is sponsored by DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Supports the revitalization of business corridors in Washington, D. C.

, particularly brick-and-mortar small businesses.

DC Main Streets Program | dslbd DC Main Streets is a comprehensive program that promotes the revitalization of business corridors in the District of Columbia. Through partnering with independent nonprofit organizations, DSLBD provides grants to create and grow neighborhood Main Street programs.

Our Main Street program partners, as the first point of contact for many local businesses, help busy retail business owners engage with the DC Government, connect with relevant resources, and share valuable information. DC Main Streets revitalizes communities by retaining and recruiting businesses, improving commercial properties and streetscapes, and attracting consumers.

In addition, leaders of these neighborhood organizations support businesses and coordinate sustainable, community-driven revitalization efforts. The DC Main Streets program has increased the number of new businesses and jobs in the district.

Facade improvements and building rehabilitation projects have enhanced the image of the commercial corridors, while marketing and branding efforts have led to greater exposure and increased market share.

View our map of all current DC Main Street corridor boundaries In FY25, DC Main Streets programs generated the following economic activity: Rehabilitation Projects Completed: 80 Volunteer Hours Engaged: 8,498 Private Investment Attracted: $7.

2 million Since the DC Main Streets Program was established in 2002, over 650 businesses (net) and 8,216 jobs (net) have been created, and more than $365 million has been invested in public improvements. Current DC Main Street Corridors: DC Main Street corridors are vibrant neighborhood commercial districts supported by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).

Each year, they produce annual reports highlighting their impact, including business retention, job creation, storefront improvements, and community events that strengthen local economies and enhance the quality of life in DC neighborhoods.

Barracks Row FY25 Annual Report Bladensburg Road Main Street , operated by DC Squared DC Squared FY25 Annual Report Chevy Chase Main Street operated by District Bridges Chevy Chase FY25 Annual Report Cleveland Park Main Street operated by District Bridges Cleveland Park Main FY25 Annual Report Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant operated by District Bridges Columbia Heights/ Mt.

Pleasant FY25 Annual Report Congress Heights Main Street Congress Heights FY25 Annual Report @destinationcongressheights Deanwood Heights Main Street Deanwood Heights FY25 Annual Report Eastern Market Main Street Eastern Market FY25 Annual Report Foggy Bottom FY25 Annual Report Georgetown FY25 Annual Report Glover Park FY25 Annual Report Historic Dupont Circle Main Street Dupont Circle FY25 Annual Report @dupont_circle_main_streets H Street FY25 Annual Report Logan Circle Main Street operated by District Bridges Logan Circle Main Street FY25 Annual Report Lower Georgia Avenue Main Street operated by District Bridges Lower Georgia Ave FY25 Annual Report Minnesota Avenue Main Street operated by H Street Main Street Minnesota Avenue FY25 Annual Report North Capitol Main Street- currently without an operator The Palisades Main Street Palisades FY25 Annual Report Pennsylvania Ave East Main Stree t - operated by Marshall Heights CDO Petworth Main Street , operated by Uptown Community Initiative Petworth FY25 Annual Report Rhode Island Avenue Main Street , operated by DC Squared DC Squared FY25 Annual Report Tenleytown FY25 Annual Report The Parks Main Street - operated by Greater Washington Urban League The Parks Main Street FY25 Annual Report Uptown Main Street - operated by Uptown Community Initiative Uptown FY25 Annual Report Upper Georgia Avenue Main Street – currently operated by SB Works FY25 Annual Reporting Pending Submission U Street Main Street , operated by District Bridges U Street FY25 Annual Report Van Ness FY25 Annual Report Woodley Park Main Street operated by Glover Park Alliance" Each DC Main Streets program is led by a full-time executive director and powered by local volunteers and community development professionals.

Each program has different operating structures as defined in its by-laws and operating procedure documents.

By grant agreement with DSLBD, each program must have: Broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process, with strong support from both the public and private sectors; Well-defined vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and the local Main Street program's organizational stage; A comprehensive project implementation plan and an adequate operating budget to support it; A full-time staff person dedicated to program implementation; Committees staffed by volunteers that align with the Main Street Four Point Approach (see below).

The National Main Street Program, known as Main Street America DC Main Streets is the District of Columbia’s Coordinating Program for Main Street America. Main Street America is the national program that provides oversight and methodology to the over two thousand individual Main Street programs across the country.

DC Main Streets builds on the Main Street Approach® that was developed by the National Main Street Center in 1980 to assist commercial revitalization efforts nationwide.

The Approach consists of four points that work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort in the following areas: Organization of commercial revitalization efforts (e.g., developing and sustaining financial and volunteer resources) Promotion of neighborhood commercial districts (e.g., branding campaigns and special events) and individual businesses operating therein; Designs affecting the physical environment of the commercial District (e.g., clean teams and streetscape improvements) and the appearance of business storefronts and interiors; Economic vitality, including business retention, recruitment, and expansion This approach provides local organizations with a mechanism to manage their neighborhood commercial districts and a structure to implement commercial revitalization activities that will achieve the stakeholders' goals for the Commercial District.

Qualifying DC Main Streets programs are certified as either “Affiliates” or “Accredited” programs under Main Street America, which involves rigorous program assessment and community engagement.