Google1-ga actually answered a similar question, but the location was
Chicago.  Run a small web design firm, and a list of new business for
the D.C. area would be extremely helpful.  I tried looking around a
bit for a similar list in D.C., but no avail as of yet. I was
wondering if I could get a little assistance in this regard. Thanks!

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Clarification of Question by ernestodc-ga on 08 Jan 2003 10:38 PST

Ack!  I meant the subject to say:

"How to find a list of new businesses in Washington D.C.?"

As a fellow resident of DC, you know as well as I (probably better, as
you run a business!) that the DC government can be a bit Byzantine at
times.  However, I've tracked down the web sites and people you can
contact for the information you are looking for.  And I must say,
everyone I talked to was very responsive and helpful.

New businesses are registered (DC uses the term "licensed") by the
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.  They do not have
ready-made online access to the data you're looking for, but they will
custom-tailor a data run for a modest fee.  The steps to do this are
as follows:

Visit:

http://dcra.dc.gov/services/licensing/info_request/index.shtm

where you find a page on:

"License Information Requests"

Click on the "License Information Request Form" which will bring up a
PDF-file form.  Fill it out as best you can, describing what specific
information you want, for what time period, how you would like it
delivered (list, on disk, emailed to you) etc.

The different types of corporations licensed/registered in DC are
listed and described here:

http://dcra.dc.gov/information/build_pla/business_services/coporations_division.shtm

and include: 

Domestic Corporations (For Profit) 
Domestic Corporations (Nonprofit) 
Domestic Limited Liability Companies 
Domestic Limited Partnerships 
Domestic Limited Liability Partnerships  

Foreign Corporations (For Profit) 
Foreign Corporations (Nonprofit) 
Foreign Limited Liability Companies 
Foreign Limited Partnerships 
Foreign Limited Liability Partnerships 

Your request should specify which types of companies you're interested
in.

There is a fee for this service:  $25.00 for the first 500 records,
and 5 cents for each additional record.  There may be additional costs
(e.g. for a floppy disk, zip disk, postage) but not much.

Finally -- and this is your most important step -- call Ms. Marcia
O'Harris at 202-442-8358.  She is the person at DCRA who would
actually be crafting your data run, and she can assist you in refining
your request so you get all the information you need.

I hope this is the information you need.  I strive to give the best
answers possible, but if you feel additional information is needed,
please
post a "Request for Clarification" before rating this answer.

And good luck in you business ventures.


searc strategy:  a visit to the DC Government homepage, and a few
calls to some helpful civil servants

Perfect!  I actually met with the member coordinator of the DC Chamber
of Commerce and he mentioned that the DCRA folks would know.  Thank
you so much though for finding those links.  That's exactly what I
need.  I'm also posting one for Maryland, as I am interested in find
the same type of lists for Maryland.  Care to give a try at that one
also?  Thanks again!