If you are starting a business in Washington, DC, particularly if it is a restaurant or other retail business that might require multiple permits and licenses, a good place to start is the Small Business Resource Center (SBRC). The SBRC was set up by the DC government to make it easier to start a business. Its mission is to provide prospective enterpreneurs a road map for how to obtain the particular permits and licenses required for their business.
SBRC is part of the DC government's Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affiars (DCRA), which is located at 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. You can contact SBRC through DCRA at (202) 442-4400 and dcra@dc.gov.
A great program for Washington, DC businesses is the DC government’s On the Job Training (OJT) program, run by the Department of Employment Services. Under this program, the DC government will reimburse employers for up to 90% of a new hire’s compensation, up to $34 an hour, for up to a six month period, provided certain conditions are met.
Click here for more information on the OJT program.Click here for a link to the Department of Employment Service’s website.