Columbia Heights | Mount Pleasant Main Streets

In 2016, District Bridges, at the time known as The Columbia Heights Initiative, was awarded our first DC Main Street grant to serve the commercial corridors of Columbia Heights & Mount Pleasant by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). At that time, this Main Street designation was unique, as it was designated to serve two distinct neighborhoods which each faced separate and unique challenges. In the first year, we rebranded to become District Bridges and strived to build trusted and strong relationships in both communities.

Today, the District Bridges Columbia Heights | Mount Pleasant Main Street programs serve the businesses, organizations, and individuals who live, work and play in these two unique communities. Our Main Street programs provide direct technical assistance to local businesses to help them thrive. We also plan local events and promotions that draw people to the neighborhoods, create volunteer opportunities, and connect stakeholders.

More About Columbia Heights

More About Mount Pleasant

Small Business Technical Assistance

We’re passionate about helping small local businesses succeed. Each business is unique and needs a unique solution. We take a holistic approach to help you achieve your dreams. Check out some of the ways our Main Street programs can help your business.

Business Health Checks & Development Plans

Whether you have been in business for decades or are just getting started you need to have a plan to achieve your business goals. The District Bridges approach to business technical assistance focuses on helping you map out your pathway to success. Our Business Health Check helps us identify your business’s most critical needs. After you have completed your Business Health Check, we work with you directly to develop a Business Development Plan that aligns your business needs with the resources and assistance that will enable you to accomplish your goals.

Business Newsletter

There are a lot of resources and opportunities out there to help you grow your business, but it can be a lot to keep up with. Our business newsletter curates the most relevant opportunities and business news and puts it straight into your inbox. Stay in the know and sign up today!

Training & Workshops

We offer free or low-cost training and workshops on a variety of subjects where business owners get direct access to subject matter experts to them gain new skills to build a thriving business.

One on One Consultations

Need support but you’re not exactly sure what kind? Just need to bounce some ideas off of a trusted person? Our Main Street program staff are here for you. You can set up an in-person or online consultation with one of our professionals. We may not have all the answers, but we’ll work with you to help you navigate your questions and find the answer with you!

Small Business Grants

We annually conduct small business grant competitions for grants up to $4,000 for businesses located within our Main Street program boundaries. These grants are made possible by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development. To ensure you receive the notices of our next grant cycle make sure to sign up for our business newsletter

Business Promotional Events

Whether you’re looking to get your business in front of a new audience or you want to connect with other businesses and people in your community, we host annual events that can help give your business the exposure you need to grow and help build long term connections in your community.

Events

One of District Bridges’ core values is fun. We love connecting with our communities and bringing people together. Throughout the year we host multiple events that promote our unique neighborhoods and bring people together to have fun! How do you want to get involved?

I’m A Business Owner!

Whether you’re interested in sponsoring an event or becoming a vendor, we have lots of opportunities for you to get your business in front of large audiences who believe in supporting local businesses! Check out our upcoming event opportunities for businesses.

I’m A Willing Volunteer

Are you looking for ways to give back to your community? Do you like helping plan and manage events? Want to meet new friends? Check out our volunteer opportunities to support District Bridges events!

I’m Planning A Community Event!

Are you planning a community event and looking for opportunities to promote it to the broader community? District Bridges loves to amplify the great work and fun events already happening in our community. Get in touch if you have an event you think would be good for us to promote.

Columbia Heights | Mount Pleasant Main Street

Program Director, Carolina Buitrago

Email: Carolina@districtbridges.org

Email: CHMPMS@districtbridges.org

Phone: 202-929-8125

Get Involved!

Volunteering with District Bridges is a great way to support our work to build stronger more connected communities and invest in local businesses. Are you looking to volunteer your time to support one of our upcoming events? Or do you have a skill set that you believe would be of value to our work? Or maybe you have an awesome idea you want to bring to fruition but need a partner to help pull it off… We want to connect with you! Check out the ways you can get involved and let’s have some fun!

Volunteer Sign Up

Sign up for our volunteer corps to be informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities. You can specify specific neighborhoods you’d like to serve or find out about all our opportunities.

Neighborhood Strategy Council Application

Our Neighborhood Strategy Councils (NSCs) are community advisory boards that help us set programmatic priorities for each of our Main Street programs. Complete an application if you’re interested in serving and we’ll be in touch!

Volunteer Skills Set Assessment

Do you have skills that you think would be valuable to our work at District Bridges? Take our Volunteer Skills Set Assessment so we can understand how we might work together.