Neighborhood News

DCRA Amnesty Program begins for Business Licenses

DDOT to host final meeting on 16th Street Transit Priority Study on January 21st

DCRA Small Business Resource Center's upcoming seminars

Reminder about ABRA license renewals in 2016

3) Hiring an Operations Manager

DCRA Amnesty Program begins for Business Licenses

Dear Business Owner:

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Announces the Business License Amnesty Program. The Amnesty Program will begin on January 1, 2016 and continue through February 29, 2016. All businesses within the District of Columbia, operating with an expired license or without a license qualify to participate in the program, as do customers with revoked corporate statuses, missing or expired business licenses, and unregistered weights and measures devices.

Late fees will not be imposed upon individuals or entities who take advantage of the program.

Best regards,

Tamika Wood
Program Support Specialist
Small Business Resource Center
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
1100 4th Street, SW 2nd Floor (E-268)
Washington, DC 20024
Main Line (202)442-4538
Phone: (202) 442-8004
Fax: (202) 478-5752
Website: www.dcra.dc.gov

DDOT to host final meeting on 16th Street Transit Priority Study - January 21st

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host the final public meeting for the 16th Street NW Transit Priority Planning Study on Thursday, January 21, 2016 .

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an overview of the project, present the preferred alternative, discuss implementation and phasing, and gather community feedback. The meeting will be open-house style with two opportunities for participants to hear an overview presentation about the process and the preferred alternative.

Over the past year, DDOT and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) conducted technical analyses to identify sources for bus delays. In addition, DDOT collaborated with the community, businesses, Metrobus riders, commuters, local and regional agencies, and other stakeholders to develop draft short-, mid- and long-term solutions. DDOT received feedback from the public at the kick-off meeting, four meetings with a Citizens Advisory Group, four meetings at bus stops, emails, letters from organizations, and social media. The feedback was used to shape the preferred alternative.

moveDC , the District’s new multimodal transportation plan, identified 16th Street NW as a transit priority corridor. This study focuses on 16th Street NW between Arkansas and H Street, NW.

The event information is as follows:

Thursday, January 21, 2016

3:30 pm – 8 pm

Presentations at 4 pm and 7 pm (same information will be presented)

Washington DC Jewish Community Center

Ina and Jack Kay Community Room

1529 16th Street, NW

If you have any other questions or comments, please contact Megan Kanagy at megan.kanagy@dc.gov or (202) 671-1598 or visit the project website at http://ddot.dc.gov/page/16th-street-nw-transit-priority-planning-study .

Getting to the Meetings

Be sure to check out www.goDCgo.com to learn about transportation options for getting to the meeting.

Can't Make a Meeting?

Materials from this meeting will be made available at http://ddot.dc.gov/page/16th-street-nw-transit-priority-planning-study within 72 hours of the event.

Do you need assistance to participate?
If you need special accommodations, please contact Cesar Barreto at 202-671-2829 or cesar.barreto@dc.gov 72 hours in advance of the meeting. If you need language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Karen Randolph at 202-671-2620 or Karen.Randolph@dc.gov 72 hours in advance of the meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.

DCRA Small Business Resource Center's upcoming seminars

Happy New Year! On behalf of DCRA’s Small Business Resource Center we want to send our best wishes for a prosperous new year!

1. How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA's Regulatory Process

If you are interested in learning How to Open a Small Business by Navigating through DCRA's Regulatory Process then this session is for you. During this event the Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) will be featuring The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) subject experts from:

·         Business Licensing Division

·         Corporations Division

·         Occupational and Professional Licensing Division

·         Permits and Inspections Division

·         Weights and Measures Division

·         Zoning Division

Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (Room E-200), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41234

2. Navigating Government Contracting with DCPTAC

The District of Columbia Procurement Technical Assistance Center (DC PTAC) is a program within the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). DC PTAC offers confidential, personalized, one on one business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.

Whether you already have experience working on government contracts, or are looking for help to win your first one, we are available to help. At the DC PTAC, businesses can get assistance with developing strategies to pursue state, local and federal government contracts.


We help you navigate the procurement process more confidently and efficiently. Our assistance is tailored to meet your specific goals in areas such as:
• Contract research
• Bid matching
• Marketing plans
• Subcontracting and Teaming
• Proposal preparation
• GSA schedules
• Certifications (HubZone, 8(a), VA CVE, WOSB)
• Post contract award counseling

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 4th Floor (Room E-4302), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41928

3. SmartStart Program Integrated Licensing and Money Smart for Small Business Program

DCRA’s Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is providing a new, FREE service to provide small business owners with business licensing and Money Smart for Small Business education to grow businesses.

Basic Business License (BBL) Steps - During these sessions, DCRA’s SBRC staff will provide the step-by-step process, fees, renewal timeline when applying and obtaining a BBL.

Money Smart for Small Business - During these sessions, DCRA’s SBRC staff will provide basic business development tools which can be used to either deepen and/or develop your skills in Financial Management, Credit Reporting, Banking Services, Organizational Types, Tax Planning and Reporting, Time Management and Record Keeping.

Date: Monday, January 25, 2016

Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Location: 1100 4th Street SW, 2nd Floor (Room E-268), Washington, D.C. 20024

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41089

4. The Regulatory Process of Starting a Business

During these FREE monthly sessions, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) will partner with District government agencies to educate customers on how to start a new business in the District of Columbia. The following topics will be discussed:

- Business Licensing
- Corporate registration
- Certificates of Occupancy (C of O)
- Home Occupancy Permits (HOP)
- Grant Opportunities
- Vending
- Farmer markets
- Certified Business Enterprises (CBE)

Date: Monday, January 25, 2016

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library - 3935 Benning Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20019

To Register: http://dcbiz.ecenterdirect.com/ConferenceDetail.action?ID=41342

Build It in DC: General and Home Improvement Contractor Forum 2016

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) will hold the Second Annual Build It in DC: General Contractor and Home Improvement Contractor Forum (Forum).  The overall goal of the event is to disseminate information, inspire entrepreneurship, and create an atmosphere to foster positive action and to receive feedback. The target audience includes current business owners who want to grow their business, get ideas, and have an opportunity to network with other business owners and District leaders.

Date: Monday, March 14, 2016

Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center - 801 Mt Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

To register: www.BuildItinDC.com

Reminder about ABRA license renewals in 2016

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT
Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration

Approximately 1,500 alcoholic beverage licenses will expire in 2016. As a result, all restaurant, hotel, multipurpose facility, club, marine vessel, train and caterer licenses are due to be renewed by March 31, 2016 . Tavern and nightclub licenses will need to be renewed by September 30, 2016 . Licensees should ensure they complete the following during the renewal season.

Update New Contact Information ASAP

Licensees that need to update a new mailing address, email address or phone number with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Contact information may be updated by completing and returning a form to ABRA .

Restaurant, hotel, multipurpose facility, club, marine vessel, train and caterer licensees should update new contact information no later than January 25, 2016.

Tavern and nightclub licensees should update contact information by July 29, 2016.

Contact information can be verified by:

EmailingCalling (202) 442-4423

Check Your Mail

ABRA will mail renewal applications to the following in:

Early February - Restaurant, hotel, multipurpose facility, club, marine vessel, train and caterer licensees

Early August - Tavern and nightclub licensees

A renewal application will be mailed to a licensee's mailing address on file.

Renew In Person

A completed renewal application must be returned in person to ABRA's office.

A new feature from the Office of Tax and Revenue allows a licensee to complete a Certificate of Clean Hands online . A licensee can save time by printing out the certificate prior to visiting ABRA's office. The certificate should be submitted to ABRA along with the renewal application.

A licensee that has had a settlement agreement in place for at least four years has the option to apply to amend or terminate the agreement during the renewal period. In order to do so, the proper form must be filed by the license renewal deadline and at the same time as the renewal application.

The request would be subject to the review and approval of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Make Payments

License fees may be paid by Visa or MasterCard, check, certified check, money order or cashier's check. Checks must be made payable to the DC Treasurer.

Don't Be Late - Renew Early

In order to avoid long lines, licensees are encouraged to submit renewal applications to ABRA as early as possible. Renewals can be done anytime before the prescribed deadline.

A renewal application not returned by deadline will be subject to a late fee of $50 per day—not to exceed the cost of the license—and cancellation.

Contact ABRA

Licensees that have questions about renewals can contact ABRA's Licensing Division by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.