Congress Heights: Economic Development and Business Opportunity
Congress Heights: Economic Development and Business Opportunity
We are planning. We are planning together. We are planning for equity.
If you missed the first focus group discussion Thursday, April 1, complete the survey below and check out the recording at the bottom of the page!
Thank you for your interest in the Congress Heights Small Area Plan and the Economic Development and Business Opportunity focus area.
This topic area focuses directly on the business, entrepreneurship, and economic development opportunities available in the community. This focus group will consider what business and entrepreneurship barriers exist, what training or occupational needs are unmet, and what economic development opportunities the community would like to see. Your answers to the following survey will help us better understand this topic area including the challenges and opportunities that exist.
Start providing critical feedback by scrolling down and answering the survey questions below.
After completing this survey, you can explore other focus areas and complete additional surveys by returning to our project home page.
What We've Heard
Over a series of meetings, research activities, and surveying, we have heard the following challenges and community priorities. Take a look and tell us if this is a summary you can get behind.
Challenges
- There are too many barriers to high-paying career opportunities, such as STEM opportunities
- COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on on-the-job risk and stability
- There is not enough affordable childcare for caregivers, and existing childcare options don't always have flexible hours
- The community needs diverse and affordable food and retail options, especially for families and seniors
- Higher-paying medical jobs coming to St. Elizabeths have the potential to drive housing prices up without increasing access to higher incomes
- Community development needs to include development, cultural education for youth, and exposure to a variety of futures
- There are barriers to digital literacy and access
- The community should have access to family entertainment businesses and opportunities for fun
- There should pipelines between local college student grant programs to well-paying local jobs
- Commercial kitchen access and food career training would benefit budding entrepreneurs
- Barriers to government opportunities seem to be even higher than in the private sector, especially for black entrepreneurs, due to a lack of capital and technical support to take advantage of grant opportunities
The Congress Heights Small Area Plan is led by the Office of Planning (OP). The plan is managed by:
- Valecia Wilson, Ward 7 and 8 Planner, Project Manager
- Faith Broderick, Community Planner, Assistant Project Manager
Questions? Reach out to us online at CongressHeightsPlan@dc.gov or on the phone at 855-925-2801 (pin: 9965). We looking forward to hearing from you.
Watch: Economic Development and Business Opportunity Focus Group (April 1, 2021)
Take a look at the recorded discussion, below!