Job Creation and Small Business Strategy Legislation Passes Economic Development Committee

With the District facing over 12% unemployment, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, chair of the Committee on Economic Development, thanked his colleagues on the committee for passing the “Small Business Stabilization and Job Creation Strategy Act.”  The legislation will task the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) to provide stabilization services to small businesses and create a mentor-protégé program amongst other initiatives.

“The District has an employment crisis,” said Councilmember Brown.  “In order to get residents back to work, we need to invest in our small businesses.  That means rethinking our priorities as a city to foster small business growth.”

During the month of December, the District’s unemployment rate rose to 12.1%, the highest on record.  In contrast, the District gained 6,100 jobs over the past year even while unemployment continued to climb.  This is a sign that District residents are having difficulty competing for the jobs that were created.  According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses account for “99.7% of all employer firms” and have “generated 64% of net new jobs over the past 15 years.”  Councilmember Brown wants the District to be friendly to small businesses that employ local residents.

Councilmember Brown has been fighting for a comprehensive small business and job growth plan since he started on the Council and as a member of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.  Here are some more of his recent job initiatives:

• Get DC Residents Training for Jobs Now Act: Provided $1.1 million for adult job training and three existing District facilities.  Training started last fall.  Learn more.
• Created the Workforce Competitiveness Taskforce: This month, the taskforce released a major report on how to create a skilled labor force called “Closing the Gaps to Build the Future.”  Learn more.
• The Stimulus Accountability Act: Required the mayor to post all jobs created by District stimulus dollars online.  Learn more.
• The DSLBD Amendment Act of 2009: Redefines how the District grows small businesses while putting teeth in the Certified Business Enterprise laws.  Learn more.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.