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Business groups call for diversification, streamlined permits and stronger small‑business enforcement in D.C.
Summary
Leaders at the March 12 roundtable urged the D.C. Council to diversify the economy beyond federal dependence, speed permitting and entitlement processes, expand workforce pathways, and strengthen enforcement of local contracting goals for small and CBE firms.
At an oversight roundtable of the Committee on Business and Economic Development on March 12, 2025, business groups, workforce advocates and chambers of commerce urged the District to accelerate economic diversification, better match workforce training with employer needs and make permitting and procurement more predictable for small firms.
Why this matters: witnesses warned that federal employment reductions and lower revenue forecasts amplify the need for D.C. to grow industries beyond the federal footprint, retain displaced talent and reduce administrative friction that drives investment across the river.
Key recommendations from the business community
Marissa Flowers, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Greater Washington Partnership, said the District should pursue a data‑driven strategy to diversify into industries where the region has competitive advantage, expand talent‑retention pathways for displaced federal workers and create targeted support for entrepreneurs.…
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