Economic Development
The Downtown BID promotes Downtown’s economic growth and diversification through research and public/private partnerships. Monitoring, collecting and distributing information about the Downtown economy assists investors, developers and policymakers in their decision-making. This information highlights Downtown’s strong performance as the city’s economic engine and tracks results of previous policy decisions and potential outcomes of future decisions. The Downtown BID’s participation in many public/private partnerships assures that research information gets distributed broadly, and helps bring stakeholder views into the dialogue about the economic development challenges and opportunities that impact Downtown DC.
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Materials in our Reports section are informed by the BID's economic development research and analysis: |
Downtown Neighborhood SurveyRelated News
Washington Post: Convention center hotel can move forward as lawsuits set aside Washington Post: Electric carmaker Tesla to open D.C. store Washington Post: Mosquito noise device at Gallery Place aims to annoy potential troublemakers Washington Post: Carmine's: A super-size surprise Washington Post: Will Save on rent with move Washington Post: Regional Real Estate Report: CityVista apartments sold to Atlanta firm Washington Post: Washington looks tantalizing to New York's restaurateurs Washington Examiner: NY eateries, Bloomberg come to D.C. Washington Post: Downturn slowed area's convention business, but future looks brighter Washington Post: D.C. convention business picks up, and area benefits from turn toward value Washington Examiner: Get your fix: Restaurant Week is back again Washington Post: Clyde's expands its menu with plan to open nightclub VIEW ALL CURRENT NEWSSelected Web Resources
Council Member Jack Evans (Ward 2) Find information on Jack Evans and the neighborhoods in Ward 2, neighborhood links, the Councilman's weekly newsletter and legislative actions. -- www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/EVANS/website/
Council Member Tommy Wells (Ward 6) Find information on Tommy Wells and learn about legislation and activities, and see what you can do to help make DC and Ward 6 a more livable community for all! -- www.tommywells.org/
DC Building Industry Association An association of professionals working to promote real estate development as an engine of economic growth and prosperity in the nation's capital. Find information on the city's economic development, regulatory and management reform, housing and community development, tax reform, educational programs and community service activities. -- www.dcbia.org/
DC Chamber of Commerce A nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving the climate for business in D.C. With over 2,000 members, DCCC has a powerful impact on legislation and the business climate. -- www.dcchamber.org/
DC Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development Find information relating to the economic development in DC, including housing, businesses, jobs, detailed plans for spending and key initiatives for the future. -- dcbiz.dc.gov/dmped
DC Gov. Business Center Find out more about doing business in DC. -- brc.dc.gov/
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Find information on business licenses, inspections and housing regulations, as well as corporate registration, building and land regulations and a tenant's guide to rent control. -- dcra.dc.gov/dcra
Downtown Neighborhood Association To develop and create a vibrant downtown residential character and balance between the residents, business owners, galleries, entertainment community and tourists. -- dcdna.org/
Federal City Council The Council works to improve the city via a very limited number of large and complex projects. Most involve the private sector, the federal and District governments. -- www.federalcitycouncil.org
Greater Washington Board of Trade The Board of Trade creates business opportunities through networking events and community-building projects, represents businesses and their employees on a wide range of issues and markets the region as a vibrant place to work and live. Find information on local business transactions and headlines, information and sponsorship opportunities for District businesses and general regional facts and figures. -- www.bot.org/
Hotel Association Established in 1906 as a non-profit trade association representing the interests of over 95 member hotels in the District of Columbia on a variety of governmental and public affairs issues. -- www.hawdc.com/
International Downtown Association IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well being of towns, cities and regions throughout the world. -- www.ida-downtown.org/
Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District
Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association Find out more about the new neighborhood between The White House and the Capitol. -- www.pennquarter.org/
Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington A trade association whose mission is to represent and promote the restaurant and food service industry in the Washington metropolitan area through education, government relations and socio-professional activities. -- www.ramw.org/
Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation Find information on tourism information, area maps, community links and area weather reports. -- washington.org/
Washington, DC Economic Partnership A public/private partnership dedicated to facilitating economic development in the District of Columbia. -- www.wdcep.com
Economic Leadership Papers and Briefs
Downtown 2008
Economic Brief
February 2009 PDF [214 KB]
The Downtown BID has assembled statistics 
for a year-end review of 2008, released as the 2008 Economic Brief, to provide a bit of good news amid current financial and economic woes locally, nationally and internationally. This new report piggybacks on the leadership paper, DC's Response to the Global Financial and Economic Crisis, released in December 2008, which focuses on concrete steps to minimize losses and maximize recovery once conditions improve.
The 2008 Economic Brief clearly states that Downtown and DC's economies are not immune to bad financial and economic conditions, but the fundamentals of each are sound, if not strong, resulting in mixed performance for 2008.
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DC's Response to the Global Finacial and Economic Crisis
December 2008 PDF [217 KB]
Despite 12 years of unprecedented transformation 
and prosperity, it is inevitable that DC will feel the effects of the current global financial and economic crisis. In this paper the Downtown BID recommends six steps that the city should consider to lessen the impact of the crisis on the community, aid in DC’s recovery once the dust settles and enable DC to emerge in a strong position, prepared to capture its share of regional growth while growing its tax base for the benefit of all residents.
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The District of Columbia's Competitive Position in the Regional Office Market
January 2008 PDF [487KB]
This report examines future challenges to sustaining the strong commercial 
office market growth realized in DC over the past 10 years in the context of the importance of office property generated taxes to DC's financial well-being and its ability to fund important social programs such as public school modernization and affordable housing.
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Downtown: The Economic and Fiscal Engine of the District of Columbia
November 2007 PDF [1.5MG]
Richard H. Bradley, executive director of the Downtown DC Business Improvement District, and Gerry Widdicombe, director of Economic Development 
at the Downtown BID prepared this paper detailing Downtown's critical role in DC's extraordinary economic revival. The authors explain the factors that contributed to this rebirth, outline the need for sustained economic growth and suggest strategies for maintaining this momentum.
2010 Downtown
Shopping District Report
This newly published report outlines how Downtown's current walkable retail destination areas are destined to compete with the region’s large shopping centers once planned development projects boost shoppers’ goods retail space to a total of 1.2 million square feet.
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