Washington Business Journal
Dear District businesses and entrepreneurs:
Living in D.C. for 20 years, I’ve witnessed the ups and downs of this city. From lagging behind other East Coast cities on retail and housing in the 1990s, multiple sequestrations, to the recent Great Recession, we’ve suffered our share of setbacks that at times felt insurmountable.
Yet despite what’s been thrown at us, we sit here today a stronger, more resilient city — with one of the strongest local economies in the country.
With the reality of new White House leadership looming, I have heard from some residents and businesses who are uncertain about our collective future.
I have emphatically told each one of them that I am optimistic.
In fact, I am confident the District will continue to prosper and attract the types of workers that power the great companies that call the District of Columbia home.
Why? Because while presidential transitions have come and gone, what remains constant is the residents and entrepreneurial spirit of D.C. that have fueled our progress, defined our values and made our economy strong.
Another constant is Bowser administration’s commitment to local and small business, affordable housing, and jobs for D.C. residents.
While President Obama certainly played a role in the District’s ascent to becoming a “cool” city, our upward trajectory is not defined by who sits at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
We are defined by those who have been here for “five generations through five minutes” who live, work, and play here.
Contrary to what some outside of the Beltway think, D.C. isn’t just a government town anymore. (And we were never a swamp.)
In fact, between 2011 and 2015, our private sector employment grew more than 11 percent — and continues to outpace public sector growth.
That growth is driven by companies like Social Tables, a software company that begin in a D.C. basement apartment in 2015 and has grown into a company of over 200 employees. Or Compass Coffee, a local coffee roaster started by two former Marines in the Shaw neighborhood that has expanded its product across the District.
Then there are companies like The Advisory Board Co. The company, one of the largest and fastest-growing firms in the D.C. metro area and our fourth-largest corporate employer, recently decided to keep its headquarters in D.C. and has pledged to hire 1,000 District residents as part of that commitment.
These are just a few examples of the innovative D.C. companies that will continue to contribute to the success of our local economy.
More importantly, they help set the tone for our future economic success — and that did not change on Election Day.
It is incumbent on all of us to continue to make the District a place where businesses can prosper. And as the leader of our city, I know that Mayor Muriel Bowser stands ready to continue to lead that charge.
As such, we will keep fighting to attract and retain companies, continue to support vibrant amenities that define our unique neighborhoods, and work tirelessly to ensure that we continue to be a place that existing and future residents choose to call home.
The work has already begun, as we formulate a new economic strategy that will set a clear vision for how to do exactly this over the next few years. We are also gathering data to closely track leading indicators of potential economic changes in D.C. to proactively engage businesses on the issues that matter most to them during and after this transition period.
While I understand the concerns and fears so many are feeling, I am truly excited for the future of our city.
It’s a future that will continue to brighten because of what won’t change in D.C. anytime soon: our collective strength, diversity, and ingenuity that makes DC an amazing place to live and to do business.
Brian Kenner is the deputy mayor for planning and economic development for D.C.