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Licenses, Procurement, Residents, Neighborhoods, Preparedness, Commuters & Taxes
1. Mayor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Killed Master Business License Program On June 24, 2003, Mayor Anthony Williams vetoed Bill 15-301, the Emergency Repeal and Amnesty Bill. This bill would have repealed the District's Master Business License Program without providing any provisions for a new business licensing scheme and without addressing related issues such as how the District would handle the return of fees paid by over 50,000 businesses thus far. Mayor Williams is hopeful that additional support from the Council will authorize amendments to the Master Business License law to gain approval. In light of the pending Council vote, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), the agency responsible for issuing Master Business Licenses, has announced that it will not issue fines to Class B businesses for failure to have obtained Master Business Licenses. Class B businesses generally do not pose a threat to health and safety. View the press release. For information on the MBLR program, visit MBLR or contact the MBLR Info Center at (202) 442-4311. Send emails to mbl.infocenter@dc.gov.
2. LSDBE Orientation and Recruitment Seminars Scheduled The Office of Local Business Development (OLBD) and Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) have scheduled three Local, Small, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (LSDBE) Orientation and Recruitment Seminars. The seminars are free and open to local business owners and newly certified LSDBEs. The agenda for the seminars includes:
View seminar dates. To register, contact Crystal Luckey at (202) 727-3900 or email.
3. Reminder: LSDBE Procurement Conference on July 23, 2003 The Office of Local Business Development (OLBD), Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP), and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) will sponsor the third annual LSDBE Marketplace from 9 am to 1 pm on July 23, 2003 at the new Washington Convention Center. Certified local, small, and disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBEs) will have the opportunity to exhibit and market their products and services to local government, federal government, and private sector entities. The District's procurement officers/specialists and the Industrial Revenue Bond partners will exhibit and provide procurement opportunities for certified LSDBEs. Also, the Certification Division will hold a workshop regarding the LSDBE application process. Only 100 exhibit booths are available. However, all LSDBEs are invited to meet with District and private sector procurement officials. For conference registration information contact Nicole Copeland at nicole.copeland@dc.gov or (202) 727-1000. For information about OLBD programs or to learn how to become a certified LSDBE, visit OLBD.
4. District Launches "city living, dc style!" to Attract New Residents
The "city living, dc style!" marketing campaign launched on June 11, 2003 to help achieve Mayor Williams' goal of bringing 100,000 new residents into the city. After a series of free public events during the summer, the campaign will culminate in a free public expo, October 24 - 26, 2003, at the Washington Convention Center. Living in the District will reduce commuting times for employees and expand the potential customer base for businesses. Businesses and nonprofits can share information about the campaign with their employees and customers. Visit city living, dc style! for more information, to get involved, or to register for the free October expo.
5. Up To $3 Million Available for Neighborhood Based Activities The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is making available up to $3 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to nonprofit organizations committed to neighborhood revitalization and affordable housing.
DHCD is accepting grant applications from community-based, nonprofit organizations and community development corporations to provide services for commercial corridor and small business development and preservation of expiring project-based rental housing subsidies in District neighborhoods.
The deadline for application submissions is Tuesday July 8, 2003 at 4:00 pm. DHCD expects to execute grant agreements by October 1, 2003.
View the press release.
6. Free Disaster Preparedness Software Offered to Small Businesses The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is offering free software to help local businesses create their own customized business continuity plan. The program enables businesses to identify hazards and to develop employee and supplier listings, checklists of key operational actions, and information on continuity of operations in the event business processes are interrupted by a crisis event. Businesses do not need any in-depth knowledge of emergency management or business continuity to create the plan. Users can download their plans to their personal computer for saving and editing as needs change. Access the disaster planning software. View the press release. For more information, contact Carl Kalish, Director of Procurement and Facilities, at ckalish@mwcog.org or (202) 962-3222.
7. Commuter Connections Unveils Redesigned Kiosk at Reeves Center Commuter Connections, a network of commuter transportation agencies in the metropolitan Washington region coordinated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), unveiled its newly redesigned InfoExpress Kiosk, which provides commuter information such as transit schedules, real time traffic and weather details, maps and guides. First introduced to the area in February 1998, the new kiosk was inaugurated at the Reeves Center (2000 14th Street, NW) in the District, and will be deployed to nine other sites including: Union Station, L'Enfant Plaza, Tysons Corner, Fair Oaks Mall, Springfield Mall, Reston Town Center, Wal-Mart in Woodbridge, VA, the US Department of Agriculture in Alexandria, and the Pentagon. Visit Commuter Connections. For more information, contact Nick Ramfos at nramfos@mwcog.org or (202) 962-3313.
8. Reminder: Tax Sale Begins July 14, 2003 The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) will hold its annual, public Tax Sale July 14-18, 2003. This year approximately 8,900 properties will be auctioned, representing $53 million in commercial and residential real property tax liens for which property taxes were in arrears on October 1. Property owners with unpaid taxes have until the date of the auction to pay any taxes due and avoid having their properties sold. To inquire about the status of a delinquent property, please call the OTR Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4TAX (727-4829) or visit the Customer Service walk-in center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE.
9. IRS Begins to Issue Employer Identification Numbers Online The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now allows many types of businesses to obtain employer identification numbers (EIN) directly from its website. New business owners or their tax professional representative can apply and obtain their EIN via the IRS website, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No registration is required to use the system and the number is issued immediately. The EIN online processing eliminates the need to send paperwork to the IRS. It also eliminates delays caused by incomplete application forms. While Internet is the preferred method, businesses may still obtain EINs by calling (800) 829-4933, or by mail or fax. Access the online application.
10. DC Business Tools
Submit Feedback to brc.alert@dc.gov
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