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publications | Business Conditions

2017 State of Business in the District of Columbia: Twenty years of change since the Revitalization Act

December 19, 2017
  • D.C. Policy Center

ABSTRACT

Since the Revitalization Act, the District of Columbia has become a more desirable place to live, work, and conduct business. We have solved our fiscal problems and have a stable and strong economic outlook. The next challenge for our city is to empower our residents and businesses across all neighborhoods to bring the same level of vibrancy to all communities, including those that have been excluded from economic growth. The District has some of the strongest government programs for protecting our most vulnerable citizens, and the city has invested in improving education, housing, and social supports—but these have not been enough to close the increasing economic gap. Recent research shows that economic integration and economic mobility are deeply connected, and living in more economically integrated neighborhoods benefits low-income families the most. The next step for the District is making all neighborhoods attractive to all types of residents of all income levels, a shift in which businesses can play a substantial role.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was prepared for the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, with support received from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. Dartagnan Howell assisted with research and data collection.

Author

D.C. Policy Center


Established in 2016, the D.C. Policy Center is a non-partisan research and policy organization committed to advancing policies for a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia. Through rigorous research and collaboration, the D.C. Policy Center develops and tests policy ideas, disseminates its findings, and engages in constructive dialogue and debate.

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