District Business Liaisons

What is a District Business Liaison?

DBLs are neighborhood business owners’ best friends. They are here to help navigate through any challenges you may have and connect you to the robust ecosystem of business support organizations in our city. DBLs work in close partnership with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and every organization and initiative that supports small businesses in Detroit. A DBL’s job is to focus on neighborhood business owners’ needs, and to work directly with the community’s entrepreneurs to help our commercial corridors thrive.

How we can help you

• Helping business owners navigate city resources including but not limited to permitting, licensing, plan review, zoning variances, and inspections
• Connecting business owners with the resources they need to grow and thrive such as capital, talent, business support services, and grant programs
• Collecting data and information that shows trends in where challenges lie for businesses in Detroit, in order to inform process, policy, and programmatic improvements that benefit the small business community

Connect to City Processes

The City of Detroit has online resources that can get you and your small business the help you need. Check out the links below for information on a variety of City processes

•  Learn about compliance and codes
  Buildings, safety, Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED)
•  Get certified as a Detroit based business
  Detroit Business Opportunity Program
•  Get licenses and permits the easy way
  Detroit Accela/Electronic Licensing and Permits System (eLAPS)
•  Make sense of your water bill
  Drainage Charges
• Be a City supplier
  Office of Contracting and Procurement
• Take the first steps towards getting a building permit
  Blight Clearance and Blight Clearance Process and Blight Violation Look-up
• Get connected with a talented workforce
  Detroit At Work – Request for Employees Form