Mayor Bowser Awards $500K to Nearly 50 Local Retailers

(Washington, DC) - Today, during DC Small Business Week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) announced the 2026 Robust Retail Grant awardees-nearly 50 small businesses across all eight wards that will receive grants of up to $10,000 each, totaling approximately $500,000 in funding. Robust Retail Grants help stabilize and grow commercial corridors in neighborhoods across DC by providing critical funding to small, brick-and-mortar retail businesses to support expenses such as rent, payroll, inventory and marketing.

"Small and local businesses are so important to our city and a key part of how we drive growth," said Mayor Bowser. "Whether you're buying groceries, getting a haircut, hitting the gym or sitting down for a good meal-those experiences happen because an entrepreneur took a risk and opened their doors in DC. These grants provide a little extra to help businesses stay open and continue serving DC residents."

Since launching the Robust Retail Grant Program in 2019, DSLBD has distributed more than $4.5 million to over 500 local businesses, reinforcing the District's long-term commitment to small business growth and neighborhood vitality.

Over the past decade under Mayor Bowser's leadership, the District has significantly expanded support for small businesses, growing local investment, increasing access to capital, and strengthening commercial corridors citywide. Today's announcement reflects that continued progress and the District's focus on ensuring small businesses remain competitive in a changing economic landscape.

"DC Small Business Week is about showing up for our businesses in real ways, and this is one of them," said Rosemary Suggs-Evans, Director of DSLBD. "The Robust Retail Grant is not just funding, it's a signal that the District is invested in our small businesses' success. Whether it's covering immediate costs or helping a business expand, we are making sure entrepreneurs have the tools and support they need to move forward."

The FY26 Robust Retail awardees represent a diverse group of entrepreneurs contributing to the District's economy and culture, from neighborhood retailers to emerging storefronts. A full list of FY26 Robust Retail Grant Program awardees is available at dslbd.dc.gov/robustretailgrant.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of Mayor Bowser's launch of a new $3.875 million Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant to provide critical financial relief to brick-and-mortar establishments that took a hit in 2025 and help neighborhood shops and restaurants stay open, resilient and ready for the future. It also builds on momentum from DC Small Business Week, which connects entrepreneurs to resources, provides real-time business support, and highlights the impact of local businesses across the city. Learn more about upcoming DC Small Business Week events at dslbd.dc.gov/dcsmallbusinessweek.

Mayor Bowser has long been a strong supporter of small businesses as a driver of economic growth. The Mayor's FY27 budget proposal continues the focus on growing DC's economy and supporting the more than 75,000 small businesses that call DC home and employ more than 233,000 residents by lowering business-related fees and continuing to invest in grant programs like Robust Retail to help small businesses thrive.

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