Capitol Hill Construction Impact Grant Program

The Capitol Hill Construction Impact Grant Program is administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) in the District of Columbia. The program was established under the agency’s limited grant-making authority to provide targeted financial support to small businesses experiencing economic disruption due to infrastructure improvements. Specifically, the program addresses the impacts of District Department of Transportation construction projects occurring near Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Potomac Avenue SE, and along 8th Street SE within the Capitol Hill neighborhood. The primary purpose of the program is to provide short-term financial relief to small, neighborhood-serving businesses whose operations are negatively affected by nearby construction activities. These impacts may include reduced customer access, diminished visibility, and decreased foot traffic. By offering grant funding, DMPED seeks to help stabilize these businesses during construction periods, enabling them to maintain operations, retain employees, and continue serving the surrounding community. Grant funds are intended to offset operational costs that arise during the construction period. Eligible uses of funds include expenses such as rent, utilities, insurance, common area maintenance fees, mortgage payments, and other reasonable business-related costs that are necessary to sustain operations. All expenses must be properly documented, directly related to the business’s operations, and incurred within the timeframe of the applicable construction projects. Applicants may also propose additional operational costs for consideration, subject to DMPED approval. Eligibility for the program is limited to small businesses that meet a comprehensive set of criteria. Applicants must demonstrate that they are directly impacted by one of the specified construction projects and have a legitimate financial need for assistance. Businesses must have fewer than 100 employees, annual revenues below $15 million, and be independently owned with no more than three franchise locations. Additionally, applicants must operate a brick-and-mortar location offering in-person services, maintain valid site control through a lease or deed, and be in good standing with the District of Columbia, including proper licensing and compliance documentation. Businesses that are part of large corporate chains or that fail to meet these criteria are not eligible. The application process begins with the release of the Request for Applications, which was scheduled for May 1, 2026. Applications are submitted electronically in accordance with the instructions outlined in the RFA. Following submission, applications undergo an initial completeness screening before being evaluated by a review panel. Final award decisions are made by the Deputy Mayor based on panel recommendations, alignment with program goals, and available funding resources. The review process also considers factors such as community impact and equitable distribution of funds across affected areas. The application window will open on May 1, 2026 and is scheduled to close on June 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. After the submission deadline, DMPED anticipates completing its review and issuing funding decisions within approximately 45 days. The program is not described as recurring, and no future funding cycles are guaranteed. Interested applicants were encouraged to attend a virtual information session and consult the DMPED website for updates and application materials. Questions regarding the program could be directed to the DMPED Business Development Group via email or phone.

Demonstrate clear financial impact from construction and provide complete documentation of operational expenses and compliance status to strengthen application competitiveness.