Federal Policy & Washington DC’s Economic Future

The future of Washington, D.C., as a vibrant economic hub, depends on smart federal policy decisions that ensure continued investments, support the workforce, and keep agencies in the region. The proposed Bowser Act would restrict D.C.’s self-governance by imposing an additional layer of federal oversight, a change that could impact the city’s future growth and success.

In a new Washington Business Journal viewpoint, Board of Trade President & CEO Jack McDougle discusses why federal officials must work with the D.C. Government to ensure the District has long-term economic stability. As Congress considers policies for the District, such as the Bowser Act, it’s essential to recognize its broader implications for businesses and communities.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

D.C. is not just the seat of the federal government; it’s a vital economic hub that drives regional and national prosperity.

The Board of Trade continues to advocate for policies that:

• Retain federal agencies in the region to sustain jobs and economic activity 
  
• Support workforce transitions and investments in economic mobility
• Preserve D.C.’s ability to govern itself, ensuring the region remains competitive and economically resilient 

Federal policy decisions don’t just impact the District, they shape Greater Washington’s entire regional economy.

ABOUT THE BOARD OF TRADE

The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan business organization representing industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. The Board of Trade addresses complex and always-evolving business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on inclusive economic growth, improving the business climate, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness.  

READ MORE POLICY ISSUES AND TOPICS THE BOARD OF TRADE IS FOLLOWING

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• Looking Ahead: The Road to 2025 and Beyound for GWBOT Policy Team
• Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger meets with Greater Washington’s business community
• Waterway Economics: Funding increases for region’s Post of Baltimore and Port of Virginia
• Testimony: Downtown Arena Revitalization Act of 2024 (DC B25-1004)

LEARN ABOUT UPCOMING BOARD OF TRADE MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES

A Community Conversation with 11th Street Bridge Park

Fireside Chat on AI with Congressman Don Beyer

About Letter of Support:

The Greater Washington Board of Trade signed on to this letter of support with our member Crown Castle, which advocates for implementing Crown Castle’s Rapid Connect fiber construction method, an innovative way of building fiber to expand broadband access in our community.

Letter of Support:

DOWNLOAD HERE

We are writing to advocate for the implementation of Crown Castle’s Rapid Connect fiber construction method, an innovative way of building fiber to expand broadband access in our community. While the County’s Department of Public Works & Transportation and Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement has been engaged since the spring of 2024, we have yet to see movement on its implementation.  

Rapid Connect uses a small moving crew and safety vehicles to simultaneously cut, place, and seal underground fiber. This method meets the highest safety standards, is environmentally conscious, minimizes disruption and community impact, reduces deployment time, and blends seamlessly into our streetscape. As a result of this simplified construction process, Crown Castle can complete fiber construction in weeks instead of months, and at a fraction of the cost.  

Data demand is growing quickly. For instance, it’s expected that mobile data traffic in North America will grow by 150% by 2029. Improved connectivity is crucial for improving access to vital resources and services, including educational opportunities, digital healthcare, connected transportation, public safety and many of the Plan Prince George’s 2035 strategies. As connectivity demands surge, Rapid Connect is the fastest and most effective solution to build networks that can keep pace with each community’s growing needs. In Addition, embracing this type of innovation can help communities become broadband ready and more competitive as states allocate funding. Crown Castle has successfully rolled out Rapid Connect in neighboring communities, including Montgomery County, D.C., and Alexandria.  

We urge the County to support the adoption of Rapid Connect. Modern life depends on broadband access, and Rapid Connect can expand access much faster than traditional construction methods to foster a more connected community and ensure Prince George’s County remains competitive and prosperous. 

Sincerely, 

Ashley Greenspan 

External Affairs – DC, MD & VA 

Crown Castle 

About this Testimony: 

The Board of Trade has been a strong supporter of small cell infrastructure deployment in Washington D.C. to expand 5G internet access, which will provide better wireless service for first responders, allow for better education resources for students, and help grow community connectivity. On July 18, Danial Flores, GWBOT’s Vice President of Government Relations, submitted a testimony at D.C. Council’s Public Space Committee hearing.

Testimony Submitted:

DOWNLOAD HERE

July 18, 2024

Good morning and thank you to the Public Space Committee for allowing me to testify this morning on the importance of small cells in Washington, D.C.

My name is Daniel Flores, Vice President, Government Relations. I’m speaking today on behalf of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, which represents all industry sectors in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and northern Virginia. For over 130 years, we have prided ourselves on our non-partisan commitment to the businesses that make our region thrive.

One of our top priorities as an organization is to support innovative solutions that improve our economy here in the DMV – and we believe that the proposal under consideration is one of those innovative solutions.

Considering we’re all joining this meeting via Zoom this morning, we all know just how important connectivity is to conducting business in our modern world. Innovative technology and connectivity have been proven to create better access to health, transportation, education and more.

But in pockets of the DMV, particularly high-traffic areas like downtown D.C., it can sometimes be hard to access cellular service. We commend the Public Space Committee for taking action in 2019 to allow the installation of small cells on existing infrastructure, but more must be done to ensure that all of D.C. has ready access to cell service.

The proposal before the Public Space Committee would allow small cells to be installed as standalone poles. An estimated 80 poles are needed to greatly improve connectivity throughout the District, and these poles would be as unobtrusive as the light poles or the Capital Bike Share stands we have all grown used to seeing throughout the city. This commonsense solution doesn’t even cost any taxpayer funding; rather, the carriers will cover the costs of installing the small cells and bringing greater connectivity to the District. It’s a win for businesses, for residents, for visitors, and for our government.

Without the installation of new small cells, D.C. runs the risk of falling behind in today’s digital economy at time when mobile data consumption is growing exponentially. Average monthly mobile data usage in North America is expected to grow by 216% per smartphone by 2028, and 5G networks will carry an estimated 69% of total mobile data traffic. Wireless “smart cities” will see $160 billion in benefits and savings through things like lower energy use and congestion. Throughout the United States, 5G connectivity is expected to drive up sales by $2.7 trillion and add up to $1.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP by 2025. Closer to home, the 5G economy is estimated to provide over $8.6 billion in economic benefits to D.C. and over 23,000 jobs.

The Greater Washington Board of Trade urges the Public Space Committee to approve the installation of standalone small cells throughout the District. Thank you for your consideration.

About this Testimony: 

In this testimony, the Greater Washington Board of Trade expresses support for Mayor Bowser’s B25-555, the ACT Now Amendment of 2023, emphasizing that public safety is a top concern for the region’s business community. The statement highlights rising violent crime, carjackings, youth crime, and organized retail theft, while urging a comprehensive approach that includes both prevention and accountability.

The testimony also stresses the need for adequately staffed and resourced law enforcement and argues that improving safety is essential to the District’s economic recovery, including downtown revitalization.

Video of Testimony:

Written Testimony Submitted:

DOWNLOAD HERE

November 29, 2023

Good afternoon, Chairwoman Pinto, committee members, and staff. My name is Kyle McColgan, and I serve as the Senior Vice President of Policy at the Greater Washington Board of Trade. We are a pro-business and non-partisan organization supporting all industry sectors in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, having done so for the last 134 years. I appreciate the opportunity to testify in front of you all today in support of Mayor Bowser’s bill B25-555, the ACT Now Amendment of 2023. 

I would first like to thank Chairwoman Pinto on her efforts thus far to address the issue of crime, particularly that of violent crime, and the many challenges it creates for citizens and businesses alike within the District. The emergency legislation passed and extended this year was a step in the right direction, as was the introduction of the Secure DC Plan.  

With homicides topping 250 this year already, a two-decade high, roughly 900 carjackings – 77% of which involved a firearm, and a rise in youth related crime, public safety has quickly risen to the most concerning and pressing issue shared amongst the business community. 

We at the Greater Washington Board of trade are firm believers that a comprehensive approach, that includes both addressing the underlying structures which lead to crime and more immediate actions to hold offenders accountable, is the only way to solve this complex and challenging issue. 

While addressing violent crime must be a priority for our communities and businesses to thrive, we cannot disregard other criminal activity. This proposed legislation takes aim at addressing a concern our members have been impacted by – organized retail theft. DC saw the highest per capital rate of theft across the nation (2829 per 100,000 residents) exceeding what would be expected via population share in the nation by 69%. Retailers of all shapes and sizes have been negatively impacted by increases in theft – with some choosing to implement costly internal security measures to help mitigate the issue themselves. While protecting their goods is a priority – most important is the safety and security of their employees and customers, who are at risk of becoming victims themselves as these thefts are carried out. The business community would greatly appreciate increased efforts and means to hold those who commit these crimes accountable.  

It is also necessary to have an adequately staffed law enforcement entity who is provided with the resources and means to effectively do their jobs. This legislation would help to support an environment where this is possible. 

Without addressing crime and public safety, there will be no meaningful recovery, not just in the District’s downtown area, but in its entirety. While this bill is a component in assisting with the recovery, we urge the Council to continue their efforts to comprehensively resolve this issue. 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify, I am happy to answer any questions.  

Sincerely, 

Kyle McColgan

Senior Vice President, Policy 

Greater Washington Board of Trade