The District-wide Small Business Development Program provides coordination and communication among local and national government programs that provide direct assistance to small businesses. reSTORE DC seeks to promote access to programs, services, information, and events that benefit small businesses throughout their life cycle.

 

The Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) offers resources and programs—including training, workshops, consulting, and cutting edge computer software—to support small business development in the District of Columbia. The e-BIC was developed as a partnership between the District of Columbia Public Library, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The e-BIC opened its doors on September 24, 2003 and since then has helped over 5,000 clients.

The e-BIC offers a series of monthly programs that were not previously available to the DC small business community. These programs focus on the information and resources needed to start a new business in DC, for contracting to the District government, and for obtaining business credit and loans. 

On site at the e-BIC, clients have access to business counselors, the DC Library’s collection of business and technology books and periodicals, a business center, office space for conducting meetings with clients, and meeting space for networking sessions. Through the e-BIC reSTORE DC maintains relationships with other local agencies and organizations that help small businesses launch, grow, and succeed. These small business service providers form a network of assistance that make the District a promising environment in which to start or operate a small business. reSTORE DC has identified key financing and technical resources for DC small businesses.

reSTORE DC’s Small Business Program also publishes the Business Resource Center’s BRC Newsletter, responds to the Business Resource Center’s incoming questions, and sends out monthly updates on the e-BIC’s upcoming training sessions.

 

For additional information, please contact the office of reSTORE DC at (202) 741-0894 or via email. The e-BIC is located at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW) and can be reached at (202) 727-2241.