BRC Bulletin

Volume 5, Issue 9, May 15, 2006

Capital Access Forum; Surety Bonds Information Session; Latino Economic Development Corporation Classes; Funding Availability for Neighborhood-Based Activities

1. District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce 2006 Capital Access Forum
2. Free Information Session about Surety Bonds for Small Contractors
3. Latino Economic Development Corporation Announces Upcoming Classes
4. DHCD Announces Funding Availability for Neighborhood-Based Activities

1. District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce 2006 Capital Access Forum

The 2006 Capital Access Forum was created in response to the high growth of the District's economy. It will be of interest to entrepreneurs who are seeking to build larger businesses, but lack access to the key enablers of capital and strategic advice.

The forum is a unique interactive marketplace that will provide high value opportunities for various players in the Washington, DC business community. It will increase your knowledge in building a successful enterprise and accessing capital to fund your project.

Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Time: Registration: 7:30 am to 8:30 pm; Forum: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
Location: Wyndham Hotel
1400 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

Who Should Attend?

• Entrepreneurs will be offered key information concerning private markets financing and mergers and acquisitions and professional development opportunities in general.
• Private Equity Fund Investors will have an opportunity to interact with small and emerging companies-an opportunity that is seldom available yet pivotal to their success.
• Commercial Lenders will have the opportunity to prospect for new financial service opportunities.
• Asset Management and Brokerage Firms will have the opportunity to connect with institutional investors interested in expanding relationships with emerging management.
• Service Providers (accounting, legal, executive search, business consulting, etc.) will have the opportunity to identify potential clients who can use their services.

Send your RSVP via email. RSVP's must be received by June 2, 2006. Please include the name of the event in the subject line of the email.

Learn more about the DC Chamber of Commerce.

2. Free Information Session about Surety Bonds for Small Contractors

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) can guarantee bonds for contracts up to $2 million, covering bid, performance and payment bonds for small and emerging contractors. Learn how to qualify for this program.

This session is presented by the Washington, DC Small Business Development Center at Howard University and the US Small Business Administration.

Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Time: 9 am-11 am
Location: The Enhanced Business Information Center's training center on the A Level of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street, NW, Washington DC 20001

Call (202) 806-1550 to reserve your space.

Visit. DC SBDC.

3. Latino Economic Development Corporation Announces Upcoming Classes

The Latino Economic Development Corporation recently released its schedule of upcoming classes and training sessions. Many of the classes will be held in Spanish. The following is a list of class offerings:

Business Fundamentals (in Spanish)
Tuesdays from 6 to 8 pm
5-30-06 to 8-8-06 (10 weeks)

Personal Finance (in Spanish)
Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm
5-31-06 to 6-28-06 (5 weeks)

Business Intermediate (in English)
Wednesdays from 6 to 8 pm
7-12-06 to 8-9-06 (5 weeks)

Basic Computing (in Spanish)
Thursdays from 6 to 8 pm
6-1-06 to 6-29-06 (5 weeks)

Web Page Development (in English)
Thursdays from 6 to 8 pm
7-6-06 to 8-10-06 (6 weeks)

For more information, visit LEDC. Call Susana M. Lopez at (202) 588-5102 for further details.

4. DHCD Announces Funding Availability for Neighborhood-Based Activities

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is soliciting applications under Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funding dedicated to neighborhood revitalization and the preservation of affordable housing for the benefit of low and moderate income households. Funding under this notice will be available in fiscal year 2007, beginning October 1, 2006.

The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit applications for grant funds to conduct the following Neighborhood-Based Activities in the District:

• Housing Counseling;
• Support for Tenants Subject to Expiring Subsidies;
• Crime Prevention Initiatives;
• Façade Storefront Improvement; and
• Commercial Corridor and Small Business Technical Assistance

Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to fund grant agreements with community-based, nonprofit organizations to conduct these activities in targeted neighborhoods and project sites in the District. Further details on these activities will be described in the Request for Applications.

The deadline for submission is June 15, 2006, at 4 pm. Hard copies of the applications* can be obtained from 801 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 – 6th Floor Reception Desk. For additional information, please contact the Department of Housing and Community Development, Residential and Community Services Division, at (202) 442-7161.

A Pre-Application Conference will be held at the Department of Housing and Community Development on May 19, 2006 at 10 am, 801 North Capitol Street, NE, 9th Floor. Attendance at the conference is encouraged for all potential applicants.

Visit the DHCD for more information.

Submit Feedback to brc@dc.gov