Today DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announced his intention to reorganize the Council committees to create a new subcommittee on small business to be chaired by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen. The subcommittee will have responsibility for several issues impacting small and local businesses and entrepreneurs across the District of Columbia. The agencies under the subcommittee's purview will include: Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), Public Service Commission (PSC), and Office of People’s Counsel (OPC).

The new subcommittee will have oversight of DC's successful Main Streets programs, operations of the Business Improvement Districts, the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program, alcoholic beverage licensing and enforcement, and utility and telecommunications regulation.

"While there are only a few months left in this Council Period, I look forward to chairing this subcommittee for the final months of the year. I plan to focus on supporting our growing local businesses and continued oversight of important programs like CBEs, Main Streets, and BIDs. I'm excited to see the upcoming launch of the Made In DC program which I authored earlier this year and talking with our local entrepreneurs about how to make DC a friendlier place to start and run a successful business,” said Allen.

“Local businesses are the engines of our neighborhood economies. They build the character of our communities, activate our streets, and pour their profits back into our neighborhoods by employing nearby residents and sourcing through nearby vendors. With many owners living and working locally, it means our small businesses are closely tied to our neighborhoods and deeply invested in their future.  Local business development means creating more local jobs and building stronger neighborhoods,” said Allen.