our economy

the facts

  • If we could eliminate childhood poverty, research estimates that we could boost our national GDP by about $500 billion per year, or the equivalent of nearly 4% of GDP.
  • 37,000 D.C. residents looking for work can’t find a job.
  • The limited literacy skills of employees cost business and taxpayers $17 billion annually in lost wages, profits, and productivity and increased taxes.
  • There is a strong economic case for reducing poverty. When individuals live in poverty, they are less likely to be contributing to economic growth and lack the ability to purchase goods and services from our city’s small businesses.

    Strengthening the District’s economy and ending poverty both require putting individuals – who have the skills needed in our economy – to work. To build the strong economic foundation that our city needs, our city must do a better job of providing an infrastructure that enables our workforce to get the education, learn the skills, and obtain the life supports that are necessary to be productive members of our workforce.

    When we strengthen our workforce, the effects trickle down. We see more consumers, a stronger local business environment and an improved quality of life for everyone in the city.

    Poverty Impacts Us All.

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