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Commercial Revitalization, Banks, Regulatory, Training, SBA 50th, and Graffiti
1. reSTORE DC Launches New Website reSTORE DC launched a new website reflecting the initiative's commercial revitalization activities across the District. The site includes news, events, featured neighborhoods, publications, maps, and information about eligibility for participation in each of the four components.The initiative, led by the Office of the Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, features four components:
Visit reSTORE DC.
2. Façade Projects Revitalize Neighborhood Shopping Districts Attractive commercial façades support and encourage local business by improving the image and marketability of neighborhood shopping districts. Toward that end, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is partnering with community-based nonprofit organizations to offer grants to small business and commercial property owners for the enhancement of retail or commercial façades. The grants may be used to enhance any visible part of a commercial façade. Painting, repairs, and new or replacement signs, doors, windows, and lighting are eligible for funding along with any other improvement that is architecturally appropriate for the property and will contribute to the overall vitality and image of the commercial district. District government grants 80 percent of the total costs of improvement projects up to a specified limit. The business or property owner must contribute at least 20 percent of the project costs prior to construction. Projects are currently under construction in downtown Anacostia, the Georgia Avenue Gateway, Bloomingdale, Marshall Heights (the Metro Stop and Shop and East River Park Shopping Center), and other locations in the District of Columbia. New projects are being planned for Mt. Pleasant and U Street areas. DHCD is planning to issue a request for applications for new projects early in fiscal year 2004. Interested community-based nonprofit organizations can contact Stephanie Davis at stephanie.davis@dc.gov or (202) 442-7158. Visit DHCD.
3. Bank Profiles Deliver Useful Information for Small Businesses Businesses can access detailed profiles of the 22 federally insured financial institutions in the District of Columbia. The Department of Banking and Financial Institutions (DBFI) regularly updates these profiles, with the next update scheduled to be released at the end of October 2003. View the bank profiles or visit DBFI for general banking information. For questions about the profiles, contact Jennipher Snowden at jennipher.snowden@dc.gov or (202) 727-0384.
4. Regulatory Calendar Posts Neighborhood Outreach Events The online Community Events Calendar of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) is an convenient, interactive way to access DCRA's programs and services. Businesses and nonprofits can submit online requests for DCRA's Customer Service Van or one of DCRA's subject-matter experts to participate in a neighborhood event. Also, the Community Events Calendar promotes DCRA's participation at scheduled events in communities across the District. Since the March 2003 launch of the calendar, more than 1,300 visitors have accessed the calendar for news and information, often requesting DCRA's participation at an event within their community. Visit DCRA's Community Events Calendar to view upcoming events or request that the Customer Service Van participate in an upcoming community event. For general regulatory information, visit DCRA. For questions about the calendar, contact:
5. District Training Resource Completes Its First Year The Department of Employment Services' (DOES) Business Resource Center recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. The Center provides a range of training opportunities for startup and small businesses, as well as business counseling services. DOES promotes economic growth and viability for the creation of jobs in the District of Columbia. DOES recognizes that small business enterprises lead the way nationally for job creation. The Center provides access to office space, meeting space, a computer lab, assistance with financing, procurement and technical assistance, and online access to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. The Center is also equipped with a resource library that includes entrepreneurial startup guides, business planning software, and informational videos tailored to the business community. Services are provided through partnerships with the DC Small Business Development Center at Howard University, Department of Banking and Financial Institutions, North Capitol Neighborhood Development, and Georgetown Law Center's Harrison Institute. The Center is conveniently located at 64 New York Avenue, NE, Room 3149. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 5:00. Other hours are possible upon request depending on availability and available resources. For further information, contact Kathy Ashe, Director of Marketing/Business Development at kathy.ashe@dc.gov or (202) 671-2144. Visit the DOES.
6. Survey Enables Local Resource to Support Small Businesses The Washington, DC Small Business Development Center at Howard University (DC SBDC) is conducting a small business needs survey. By completing it, small businesses can assist DC SBDC with its efforts to best serve small businesses in the District of Columbia and metro region. Responses will help DC SBDC identify the services and resources small businesses need from the DC Small Business Development Center to help them grow and thrive. The brief online survey is easy and quick to complete. All data will be reported collectively; no single response will be traced to any individual or specific business entity. Complete the survey. As a token of appreciation, all participants that opt to provide their name and contact information will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate for NxLevel Workshops. The Workshop is an eleven-week seminar designed to help grow small businesses. This widely respected training program usually costs participants $450.
7. SBA Celebrates 50 Years of Supporting Small Businesses The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a series of special events in celebration of its 50th anniversary. SBA's National Entrepreneurial Conference & Expo features several events in the District. Many of the events require advance registration and payment of a small fee. View more information about the event and register.
8. Special Feature: DC Launches Major Anti-Graffiti Effort Citing the increasing number of spray-painted signs and acid-etched tags that have popped up all around the city, Mayor Anthony Williams has called for "zero tolerance" of graffiti vandalism in the District. The District's graffiti problem sprang to the forefront with the rise in gang-related violence. Dozens of local businesses and residences along the 14th and U Street corridor have been hit by a "tagger" using an acid, glass-etching solution which has destroyed windows. The cost to business owners is in the thousands. Understandably, merchants are concerned about repeat offenses. Under District law, graffiti is a criminal offense that could result in a sentence of up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $1,000, or community service. However, it is difficult to catch the perpetrators because most work late at night when streets are empty and people are fast asleep. Clean City Coordinator Mary C. Williams, who is leading the Mayor's efforts, said she turned to the city of Los Angeles several months ago for help in combating graffiti. One of the most effective tools recommended by LA officials is a motion detecting anti-graffiti camera. The QStar FLASHCAM-530 camera is currently being tested in Adams Morgan, Mary Williams said, and after three weeks, the area around the site remains graffiti-free. Mary Williams said Los Angeles officials also recommended that the District establish an award fund for information leading to the capture and conviction of the vandals. The city is currently looking into establishing a graffiti hotline and reward program, as well as several other practices recommended by Los Angeles. Graffiti removal is expensive, but necessary. This year, the Department of Public Works budgeted about $300,000 for work crews and graffiti-blasting machines, but that is not nearly enough to respond to the increasing offenses. Officials estimate it will cost close to $1 million to provide adequate services in the District. Business owners and property owners are urged to take steps to protect their property against graffiti artists. By law, it is the property owner's responsibility to remove graffiti immediately from the premises. The city, however, does offer some assistance by way of graffiti paint kits for organizations wishing to remove graffiti from public areas. The city will also REVIEW a request for removal on private property. To request graffiti removal assistance, call the Mayor's Call Center at 727-1000. Facts:
9. DC Business Tools Available
10. View the BRC Alert Archives Previous editions of the BRC Alert newsletter feature articles for small businesses and nonprofits regarding incentives, training, licenses, procurement, commuting, emergency preparedness, and other topics. View the BRC Alert Archives.
Submit Feedback to brc.alert@dc.gov
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