WASHINGTON (AP) - D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is promoting development in Washington as he works to distance himself from concerns about his administration's hiring practices that have plagued his first few months in office.

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Gray on Monday announced that a new ink-jet manufacturing plant would bring 300 jobs to Ward 8 and that several new restaurants and stores will open in a waterfront development near Nationals Park.

The mayor tells The Washington Post that the speech was meant to let businesses know that the city is taking steps to help generate jobs. Gray's agenda has been slowed by several investigations into his hiring practices and probes into several council members.

A recent Washington Post poll showed Gray with a 47 percent approval rating.

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Information from: http://www.washingtonpost.com