Press Release For Immediate Release January 23, 2003 Independent LSDBE Program Evaluation Report Released (Washington, DC) The District of Columbia Office of Local Business Development (OLBD) commissioned Mason Tillman Associates to perform an evaluation of its Local, Small, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBE) program. The evaluation's three main purposes were to: Assess and quantify the differential costs of awards to LSDBEs Assess and quantify the economic outcomes of the program on the District's tax base, local employment, and other economic indicators Determine the LSDBE program's strengths and weaknesses and recommend improvements The research sought to develop an understanding of the operation of the LSDBE program and to solicit feedback and recommendations for program improvement. A focus group was held with LSDBEs to identify the program's success areas, where improvements were needed, and to determine the effect LSDBEs perceive the program has had on their businesses. View the LSDBE Cost Effectiveness and Financial Impact Analysis*. * This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF) and a PDF reader is required for viewing. Download a PDF reader or learn more about PDFs.