Part TT. Vitality Fund.

§ 1–325.451. Vitality Fund.

(a) There is established as a special fund, the Vitality Fund ("Fund"), which shall be administered by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(b) There shall be deposited into the Fund such funds as may be appropriated for that purpose.

(d)(1) The money deposited into the Fund but not expended in a fiscal year shall not revert to the unassigned fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia at the end of a fiscal year, or at any other time.

(2) Subject to authorization in an approved budget and financial plan, any funds appropriated in the Fund shall be continually available without regard to fiscal year limitation.

§ 1–325.452. Vitality Fund Grants.

(a) Notwithstanding part B of subchapter XII-A of this chapter, the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development ("Deputy Mayor") may award grants from the Vitality Fund established pursuant to § 1-325.451 to attract businesses to the District or retain businesses in the District, with a preference for attraction to or retention in the District's central business district.

(b) Grants awarded pursuant to this section may be used for the following purposes:

(1) To cover operational costs;

(2) As down-payment assistance or to subsidize rent;

(3) To pay for tenant improvements;

(4) To cover workforce training or professional development costs not eligible for support through other workforce programs; and

(5) To cover recruitment and hiring costs.

(1) Demonstrate that the retention or attraction of its business will have a significant positive economic impact on the District, which may be evidenced by the following factors:

(A) New jobs;

(B) Retained jobs;

(D) Average annual wages;

(E) Term of occupancy;

(F) Net new square feet occupied;

(G) Total square feet occupied;

(H) Dollar amount of capital investment;

(I) Tax revenue;

(J) Return on investment;

(K) Contribution of the company's presence in the District to the growth of the company's industry in the District; or

(L) Other outcomes identified by the Deputy Mayor that quantify the economic impact of the business's project on the District.

(2) Require its employees, in the aggregate, to be on-site at a location in the District for at least 50% of their work hours; and

(3) Agree to:

(A) Develop or participate in a workforce development program that offers District residents opportunities for training or employment within the business or the industry in which it operates; or

(B) Spend at least 5% of its total annual contracting with businesses eligible for certification as local business enterprises, pursuant to § 2-218.31.

(d) By January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Deputy Mayor shall submit to the Council a report that contains the following information on grants awarded pursuant to this section in the prior calendar year:

(1) For each grantee:

(A) The name of the business, the location of the business, and the grant amount;

(B) The number of jobs created or retained as a result of the grants and the average annual wages of the jobs created or retained;

(D) The square footage leased or occupied by the grantee;

(E) The dollar amount of capital investments made by the grantee, if applicable;

(2) The return on investment for all grants awarded; and

(3) Any other information the Deputy Mayor deems necessary to demonstrate the impact of the grants on the economic vitality of the District.