ABSTRACT
The Washington metropolitan area is one of the top regions in the country for economic innovation, entrepreneurship, and high-growth firms. Within the metropolitan area, however, jurisdictions experience different economic outcomes because of the decisions they make that affect the flow of businesses, workers, and residents across their borders. These forces are constantly shifting: The District has seen significant economic and residential growth in recent years. At the same time, the dynamics of the metropolitan area—and DC’s place within it—have changed over time, moving jobs and people out beyond the core counties of the metropolitan area and altering the relative power of DC and its suburbs and exurbs.
In order to adjust to these changes and become a more competitive city within the Washington metropolitan area, the District of Columbia must assess its strong and weak competitive factors for businesses, workers, and residents.
- Excerpt: How can DC become more competitive within the Washington metropolitan area?
- Full report: Building a competitive city: Strengths, weaknesses, and potential paths of growth for the District of Columbia (PDF)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report was prepared for the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, with financial support from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development under the leadership of Interim Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio, and Karima Woods, Director of Business Development and Strategy.
ABOUT THIS REPORT
This report was prepared and produced by the D.C. Policy Center for the DC Chamber of Commerce. The D.C. Policy Center is an independent nonprofit think tank committed to advancing policies for a strong and vibrant economy in the District of Columbia.
The views expressed in this report should not be attributed to the members of the D.C. Policy Center’s Board of Directors or its funders. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of D.C. Policy Center employees and experts. Further information about the D.C. Policy Center is available at dcpolicycenter.org/about.