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Taxes, Revitalization, LSDBEs, Minority Business, Training, Pandas, & Graffiti
With the April 15th tax deadline just several days away, the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) reminds taxpayers that they can electronically file their returns through the District of Columbia Electronic Taxpayer Service Center (ETSC). Small businesses and individuals who file an individual income tax return for the District of Columbia are reminded that additional postage is now required on the envelopes included in their 2003 income tax return booklets. The amount required to return completed tax forms to OTR by First Class mail is $0.49 for each one ounce. The total amount will depend on the number of forms included in the return. View the announcement. For more tax questions or information, visit the Electronic Taxpayer Service Center (ETSC). Or, call OTR at (202) 727-4TAX.
2. reSTORE DC Seeks Applicants for Revitalization Funding Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for two reSTORE DC programs relating to funding commercial revitalization activities. reSTORE DC is an initiative of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and is designed to help revitalize neighborhood business districts and small businesses through organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring of commercial areas. The Commercial District Technical Assistance Program (CD-TAP) provides funding and technical assistance for projects and activities that help to revitalize neighborhood business districts. Awards will be made in four categories of technical assistance: organization, economic restructuring, design and promotion. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations operating in DC, excluding designated DC Main Streets districts, whose goals include the economic revitalization of neighborhood business districts. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with awards ranging from $500-$25,000. The Commercial Property Acquisition and Development Program (CP-A&D) provides funding to acquire, redevelop or build commercial properties located within DC. The commercial property shall contain retail stores that appropriately serve the needs of customers in the property’s trade area. Eligible applicants include nonprofit corporations operating in DC, including areas designated as local DC Main Streets programs, and whose goals include the economic revitalization of a neighborhood business district. CP-A&D is a "gap" financing program, meaning that awards are based on the gap between the sources and uses of funds needed to complete the project. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with awards ranging from $25,000-$250,000. In order to apply for either program, applicants are required to complete a standard grant application developed by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. Applications should be mailed or delivered to reSTORE DC, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 317, Washington, DC 20009. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For both programs, applicants will be required to match every $2 of funding with $1 toward the project cost. For further information regarding either of these programs, contact David Toland at (202) 727-5209 or by email. Visit reSTORE DC.
3. Two Procurement Fairs Showcase Opportunities for LSDBEs The Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) will have a significant presence at two heavily attended procurement fairs in April and May. Businesses certified as Local, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (LSDBEs) by the District of Columbia are encouraged to attend the federal fair to be held on April 20 and the regional fair to be held on May 11, 2004. The Federal Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the Federal Small Business Technology Council, on April 20, 2004, will host the 14th Annual National Conference and Procurement Fair at the Show Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. Hundreds of federal agencies and prime contractors will be present, along with OCP, to describe procurement opportunities in the federal and local governments. View the announcement for event and registration information. On May 11, 2004 at the New Convention Center in Washington, DC, the Minority Business Coalition of the District of Columbia will host ProBiz2004. LSDBE vendors are encouraged to participate by hosting an exhibit booth or by attending to meet DC contracting staff and conduct business-to-government and business-to-business activities. To review the LSDBE certification procedures for the District of Columbia, visit the Office of Local Business Development.
4. Office of Zoning Enhances Website with New Features Businesses can access online zoning information and webcasts from the Office of Zoning. These new features were unveiled earlier this year in order to enable online research when possible to replace trips to the agency's office. Through the Office of Zoning website, businesses can watch live webcasts of Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment hearings and meetings. The Zoning Commission meets nearly every Monday and Thursday evening from approximately 6:30 pm to 11 pm. The Board of Zoning Adjustment meets every Tuesday from approximately 9 am to 7 pm. The full text of the 2004 Zoning Regulations and Map with the Office of Zoning's Errata and Amendment Sheet can be downloaded. The regulations are completely searchable. These documents update the Regulations and Map through January 1, 2004. A paper version of the Map with Amendment Sheet can be purchased at the price of $10 for a black and white copy or $60 for a color copy. Archives of Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment Orders from 1970 to present are indexed for convenient online location of orders. These searchable orders can be researched by case number, address, square and lot or by keyword. Contact the Office of Zoning at (202) 727-6311 or by email. Visit the Office of Zoning.
5. Grand Opening Set for Minority Business Development Center Mayor Anthony Williams and John Taylor, President and CEO, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), have extended an invitation to the upcoming grand opening of the Washington DC Minority Business Development Center (MBDC). The new Center will provide minority business enterprises with consulting and incubation services. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 10 am in the second floor conference room of 64 New York Avenue, NE. Tours of the Center and an Open House will be held from 11 am to 2 pm in the Department of Employment Services (DOES) Business Resource Center on the third floor. Please RSVP for the event by calling (202) 671-2100. The MBDC is being launched by the NCRC in partnership with the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the R. H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, and with the generous support of the Minority Business Development Agency of the US Department of Commerce and DOES. The MBDC represents the culmination of a strategic effort to increase the number and size of successful minority business enterprises in the National Capital Region. To maximize its impact on the National Capital Region, the MBDC focuses on providing affordable, superior quality business advisory services to large or high growth-potential, minority business enterprises. The MBDC offers its clients premier business consulting services for only a fraction of the price they would pay at a traditional consulting firm. Specifically, the MBDC will provide:
For more information, contact the MBDC at (202) 671-1552 or by email.
6. Corporate Sponsors Needed to Employ Youth this Summer Be a "Youth Champion" by hiring or sponsoring a young worker this summer. In past years, the business community has been a strong partner with the Department of Employment Services' Summer Youth Employment Program by hiring or sponsoring a youth during the summer. This summer, thousands of youth, ages 14 to 21, will be seeking employment. Mentoring a youth through a summer job is a very powerful investment in the District's workforce and an asset to your business. You can hire a youth to work in your business or make a donation of $1,000 to sponsor one youth's work experience for five weeks this summer. If you make a donation, we will place the young worker you sponsor with a non-profit or public organization for the summer. The work experience and this small salary make a world of difference to a young worker. For additional information on hiring or sponsoring a youth, call the Office of Youth Programs at (202) 698-5242. View the announcement. Visit DOES.
7. "PandaMania" Needs Sponsors for Panda Sculptures Across the District Those charming, cuddly bears so loved by Washington’s visitors and residents will soon be taking a stand, or a seat, on street corners and sidewalks throughout the District. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, producers of 2002’s Party Animals, will present PandaMania, 150 creatively designed Panda sculptures placed on display beginning May 2004. Local, national and international artists with diverse backgrounds and styles have been asked to create unique artwork for the 4.5 to 5.5 feet tall sculptures. The PandaMania exhibition will be on display through the spring and summer and will conclude with a public "Panda Palooza Auction" this fall. All proceeds will go directly to the DC Arts Commission grants programs and Arts Education programs. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is currently seeking sponsors from corporations, law firms and educational institutions to participate in this citywide campaign. Sponsors will be able to choose the financial level at which they are interested in participating. Sponsor levels range from $2,000 to over $20,000. Corporate sponsors interested in participating in the PandaMania exhibition should contact Alexandra MacMaster at (202) 724-5613 or by email. Visit the DC Arts Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
8. Graffiti-Blaster Available for Service to Businesses The Department of Public Works advises businesses that they can request service from the city-owned Graffiti-Blaster by contacting the Mayor's Citywide Call Center at (202) 727-1000 or submitting a Request Form online. Property owners are required to sign a release before the Graffiti-Blaster can be used on their property. The release agreement verifies that the owner holds the city harmless in the event of damage caused by the Graffiti-Blaster's high-power hose. The crews generally advise against using the machine on a painted surface unless the owner plans to repaint anyway. The Graffiti-Blaster removes the tagging, but also strips the paint right off the building. It is generally best used on masonry and concrete.
9. Washington, DC Marketing Center Releases 2003 Report The Washington, DC Marketing Center announced the release of the DC Business Connections 2003 Annual Report. This report takes the pulse of the District’s corporate community and examines their attitudes, opinions, needs and much more as it relates to operating a business in DC. DC Business Connections (DCBC) Corporate Relations Specialists visited more than 1,400 companies over the past three years. Businesses were asked questions on doing business in the District, the city’s business climate, potential site locations and business support needs. The results of those 1,400 visits can be found in the 2003 Annual Report. Key findings include most notable improvements, ongoing concerns and issues and needed information and resources. The data contained in the report will enable the DC Marketing Center to provide the city’s policy makers with useful information to refine policies and programs in order to make the District more business friendly. Additionally, the 2003 Annual Report highlights the progress that has been made by the DC Business Connections program in its three years of service. DCBC is a program of the Washington, DC Marketing Center launched by Mayor Anthony Williams and designed to facilitate communication between the Washington, DC business community and the District government. DCBC provides rapid responses to businesses’ concerns by using a partner network of more than 30 government agencies and business organizations. To receive your copy of the DC Business Connections 2003 Annual Report, contact the DC Marketing Center at (202) 638-7333 or download the report. Visit the Washington, DC Marketing Center.
10. Board of Trade Recruiting Mentors for Small Businesses The Small Business Partnership (SBP), a program of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, is seeking local professionals to serve as mentors for small businesses in the Washington metropolitan area. The Small Business Partnership, or SBP, provides time-based training and business development opportunities for small companies. Mentors are vital to the overall success of the SBP programs. The types of mentors the SBP looks for might hold positions as community relations officers, procurement officers, diversity managers, purchasing directors, or vice presidents. An ideal mentor would have knowledge of how a small businesses functions, perhaps through their duties as a business resource specialist or as someone who has run a small business themselves. Mentors might have background in regularly entering into purchasing agreements with small businesses. They may also have knowledge of the Small Business Administration 8(a) Program and other small, minority business certifications. One important characteristic the SBP looks for in a mentor is that they can make themselves accessible to their small business. It is fundamental for the mentor to be able to advise the small business on resources inside their own company and introduce them to outside networks. If you would like further information regarding the mentoring program or a description of the Small Business Partnership, please contact Lindsay Godwin at (202) 857-5934 or by email. Visit the Board of Trade.
11. Updated Small Business Training Calendar Posted The Washington, DC Small Business Development Center Network (DC SBDC) released its training calendar for the second quarter of 2004. The DC SBDC features dozens of seminars for aspiring entrepreneur and established small businesses. Many of the seminars are free and some require payment of a nominal fee. Pre-registration is required in order to attend the seminars. The seminars are conducted at a variety of locations across the District of Columbia including the various DC SBDC Service Centers, the Department of Employment Services Business Resource Center, the Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC), and the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the US Small Business Administration. Seminars topics during the upcoming quarter will include:
Visit the DC SBDC to download the new training calendar. Call (202) 806-1550 for more information about the DC SBDC or small business training.
12. IRS Hosts Regional Training Workshops for Nonprofit Organizations The Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division of the US Internal Revenue Service has scheduled a one-day workshop for small and midsized 501(c)(3) organizations in the Washington-Baltimore greater metropolitan area. The workshop, presented by experienced Exempt Organizations Specialists, will explain what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations. This introductory workshop is designed for administrators or volunteers who are responsible for the organization’s tax compliance. The workshop will be limited to 150 participants each day and will be filled first-come, first-served. Workshop topics will include:
This workshop does not cover how to apply for tax-exempt status or compliance requirements for non-501(c)(3) organizations. Individuals can choose to attend the workshop from 9 am to 4 pm on May 4, May 5, or May 6, 2004 at the Pearlston Conference and Retreat Center in Reiserstown, MD. The cost is $25 per person. View registration information.
13. Small Business Community Advised of Two New Resources from SBA and IRS The 2004 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM produced by the US Small Business Administration and US Internal Revenue Service has a new look and enhanced navigation features. This handy, interactive CD contains all the business tax forms, instructions and publications to successfully manage a business. In addition, the CD provides a wide variety of web links to various government agencies, business associations, and IRS organizations. Order a CD or view the publication online. Or, call the IRS toll-free number at (800) 829-3676. As a related small business resource, the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility has added an article online describing how to choose a tax return preparer. View IRS Small Business/Self-Employed website for other articles and resources.
14. DC Business Tools Available
15. View the BRC Bulletin Archives Previous editions of the BRC Bulletin newsletter feature articles for small businesses and nonprofits regarding incentives, training, licenses, procurement, commuting, emergency preparedness, and other topics. View the BRC Bulletin Archives.Submit Feedback to brc@dc.gov
* This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing. |
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