705.1 The District's long-term economic strength depends on fostering continual growth and diversification. Historically, the federal government has driven the vast majority of the District's economic growth. Looking forward, it is likely that an increasing amount of growth will be driven by the private sector.

705.2 Fortunately, Washington, DC is uniquely positioned to support economic innovation driven by technology businesses, technology-enabled businesses, and businesses that use new models. These new and expanding businesses are growing from the foundations of the District's leading fields, such as issue-driven advocacy, hospitality, regulation management, and government services.

705.3 Economic innovation is taking many different forms, ranging from new industries created by regulatory reform to experiential retail models and technology-oriented service delivery. The common thread among these businesses is that innovation draws on forward-looking and diverse sources of inspiration that are connected to changes in the business environment. These changes are often driven by increased information access, communication, and global commerce. They are also propelled by the District's robust arts and cultural environment, which injects valuable sources of creativity. These forces align to leverage emerging growth opportunities created by increasing access to low-cost goods and services, which has increased demand for human interaction and products that are authentic to a place or community.

705.4 In 2017, DC's Economic Strategy identified six opportunity areas for innovation: the impact economy, smart cities and civic solutions, professional services innovation, hospitality innovation, security technology, and data science and analytics. Each of these fields presents opportunities for economic expansion through entrepreneurship and career development. They are also important safeguards against changes in federal policy that may impede the District's economic growth through increased national distribution of federal employment and reduced federal procurement spending. Supporting innovation in the District's economy helps ensure that the tax base continues expanding to finance critical investments, including affordable housing production, environmental protection and sustainability, and transportation improvements.

705.5 Since 2006, innovations such as coworking, smartphones, and 4G telecommunications have changed work, travel, and social interactions. These changes are likely to intensify as new technologies such as autonomous vehicles, 5G telecommunications, and artificial intelligence become widely used. The net impacts of these technologies are likely to be positive, though businesses and many individuals in the workforce will face challenges adapting to shifts in the business climate and nature of work.

705.6 The District is a leader in advancing equity and inclusion, particularly in technology-driven industries, through its educational, entrepreneurial, and business development programs. Technology-driven innovation is likely to be a leading facet of the District's economic growth. However, there are major equity challenges to address—namely, ensuring that business and workforce development programs employ comprehensive strategies to identify and eliminate institutional barriers, and are designed to eliminate structural inequities preventing District residents from attaining employment and business opportunities. An equity focus on business and workforce development programs is imperative because increased automation and legacy business disruption will likely result in reduced employment opportunities in some industries and occupations.

705.7 In addition, Washington, DC's environmental sustainability leadership is another driver of economic innovation. In 2019, Washington, DC adopted the Clean Energy Omnibus Act, which is landmark legislation that will transition the District to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2032. This comprehensive legislation places the District of Columbia on the cutting edge of energy policy nationally. By taking this bold step toward greater resilience and sustainability, Washington, DC is also catalyzing valuable opportunities for economic growth by stimulating innovation in architecture, engineering, and the construction trades, among other fields.

705.8 Economic innovation is a critical component of building Washington, DC's economic resilience as national and global economics undergo a period of accelerated change. While the District advances these growth opportunities, it is also important to monitor and adjust job training to keep pace with changing employment opportunities and occupational requirements.

705.9 Policy ED-1.3.1: Technology-Intensive Industries Aggressively pursue technology-based and creative industries, such as computer systems design, information services, smart cities, clean energy, efficient building construction and renovation, and cybersecurity. Promote the development of space that is attractive for these industries, both in new and existing buildings. Such space should include buildings with good access to transportation, high-quality architecture, a mix of uses, and attractive urban design.

705.10 Policy ED-1.3.2: Media and Design Capitalize on the success of established broadcast media and design companies by continuing to grow these industries, and by growing related industries such as web design and multimedia content.

705.11 Policy ED-1.3.3: Incentives Provide performance-based incentives, marketing efforts, and workforce

development tools to attract and retain technology and creative industries. Take full advantage of federal incentives, such as research and development tax credits to attract such firms. Link incentive performance to advancing equitable economic development and increased capital within communities of color.

705.12 Policy ED-1.3.4: Leveraging and Adapting to Technological Change The District supports economic resilience by aligning workforce development and small business development with economic development to ensure that residents, and particularly lower-income residents with less educational attainment, benefit from economic growth driven by technological innovation.

705.13 Policy ED-1.3.5: Leveraging Environmental Policy for Economic Growth Leverage the District's environmental sustainability policies for economic growth by aligning them with business attraction and workforce development programs. These efforts should focus on expanded opportunities for historically underrepresented populations, including communities of color.

See also the Environment Element for more information about policies and actions that link environmental sustainability with economic and workforce development.

705.14 Policy ED-1.3.6: Equitable Opportunities in Industries Enabled by Regulatory Reform Facilitate opportunities for locally owned small businesses and historically underserved populations to participate when new industries are enabled by regulatory reform.

705.15 Action ED-1.3.A: Branding Washington, DC as a Creative Hub Maintain and grow a marketing and branding campaign that establishes a stronger identity for the District as a center for creativity and innovation, capitalizing on established institutions, such as museums, think tanks, arts establishments, universities, and media industries, as well as the District's rich local history and culture, such as Go-Go music.

See also the Arts and Culture Element for policies on arts and the economy , and the Educational Facilities Element for policies and actions on educational partnerships.

705.16 Action ED-1.3.B: Link Federal Research and Enterprises Launch a program that connects District entrepreneurs with technology transfer and commercialization opportunities associated with the federal government's research institutions in the metropolitan region.

705.17 Action ED-1.3.C: Support Emerging Entrepreneurs

Directly, or through partnerships with private entities, establish a fund or funds to help local entrepreneurs grow investment-ready businesses. To reduce existing inequities, take steps to build capacity in entrepreneurs of color and women to be investment-ready, and ensure access and transparency in any grant processes or procurement opportunities. Emphasize increasing access to capital, particularly among lower-income entrepreneurs in emerging fields, such as the impact economy, urban innovation/smart cities, hospitality and professional services innovation, data, and security tech.

705.18 Action ED-1.3.D: Foster Technology Careers for District Students Create programs that help District students connect with careers in technology fields. These should include targeted training and opportunities for internships that provide direct experience in technology businesses.705.19 Action ED-1.3.E: Support and Promote Inclusive Technology Business and Workforce Opportunities Support and promote inclusivity in the District's technology economy through workforce development, business development, and public-private sector collaboration. These efforts emphasize increasing the diversity of the workforce serving technology industries, as well as the ownership of technology-oriented businesses.705.20 Action ED-1.3.F: Planning for Technology-Based Businesses Explore the benefits of aligning business attraction for technology-based firms with next-generation information technology infrastructure, such as 5G telecommunications networks.705.21 Action ED-1.3.G: Monitor Changes in Technology Monitor changes in the technology industry and its impact on jobs, commerce, and workforce development. Washington, DC will use this information to update workforce development approaches to respond to these impacts.705.22 Action ED-1.3.H: Gig Economy Workers Analyze the characteristics of the District's workforce that is employed in the gig economy, which refers to the portion of the workforce that connects a series of on-demand employment opportunities to form a significant source of individual income. The analysis should make recommendations to increase awareness of the limitations, costs, and responsibilities of this type of work. It should also make recommendations to increase access to programs and support resources, such as health insurance. Additionally, explore approaches to reduce worker misclassification.705.23 Action ED-1.3.I: Assess Incentives Assess existing and proposed incentives for performance and efficacy. In

particular, assess tax and other incentives intended to benefit historically underserved or low-income residents or communities of color to determine if they are advancing equitable development.

705.24

Action ED-1.3.J: Racial Equity Toolkit

Develop a racial equity toolkit to assist in reviewing existing small business and workforce development programs through a racial equity lens.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).