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AN ACT
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To clarify, on an emergency basis, the Department of Small and Local Business Development’s
authority to issue grants to eligible entrepreneurs and for-profit businesses in Ward 8.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA , That this
act may be cited as the “Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Emergency Clarification Act of
2023”.
Sec. 2. (a) Notwithstanding section 1094 of the Grant Administration Act of 2013,
effective December 24, 2013 (D.C. Law 20-61; D.C. Official Code § 1-328.13), in Fiscal Year
2024 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Department of Small and Local Business Development
shall issue a grant in the amount appropriated for the Ward 8 Community Investment Fund to the
DC Community Development Consortium Institute to provide grants or microloans to eligible
entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to establish or sustain for-profit businesses in Ward 8.
(b) The following persons and entities shall be eligible to receive grants in the specified
amounts:
(1) Small grants and microloans of up to $5,000 in total to Ward 8 residents for
costs related to starting a business in Ward 8. Startup costs include business licensing and other
fees required to incorporate a for-profit business in the District, insurance required by District or
federal laws or regulations, and pre-operating costs;
(2) Grants and microloans not to exceed $10,000 in total to support small
businesses owned by Ward 8 residents operating in Ward 8 for at least 1 year prior to being
awarded the grant or microloan; and
(3) Grants and microloans not to exceed $20,000 total to support small Ward 8
businesses owned by Ward 8 residents operating in Ward 8 for at least 3 years prior to being
awarded the grant or microloan.
(c) The DC Community Development Consortium Institute may use up to 20% of the
total annual grant amount to support operating costs, and to provide technical assistance to,
eligible applicants and grantees.
(d) The DC Community Development Consortium Institute shall submit a quarterly
report to the Department of Small and Local Business Development detailing:
(1) The number of applications received;
(2) The number of grants issued; ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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(3) The amount of money issued per grant; and
(4) A list of entrepreneurs and businesses who were awarded grants in the
past quarter, a description of the business or business proposal, and a copy of each grant-winning
application and supporting materials.
(e) The DC Community Development Consortium Institute shall give Ward 8 residents
control over the deployment of capital received from the grant through a grant-review committee
comprised of 7 Ward 8 residents selected annually through an open application process. The DC
Community Development Consortium Institute shall establish procedures to identify and
eliminate conflicts of interest with potential recipients through the grant-review committee and
provide technical and administrative support to the grant-review committee, as necessary.
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1 301.47a).
Sec. 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than
90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section
412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788;
D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).
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Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
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Mayor
District of Columbia