October 2, 2024
Updates from Adams Morgan
Click Here
to see previous updates in our newsletter archive
Check
ObviouslyDC.com
for the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.
Be prepared. Visit to
Ready.DC.gov
for preparedness information for a
variety of hazards including manmade and natural disasters.
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18th Street Steatery Pilot program update
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All streateries are now open and available for restaurant use.
Next Steps
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Shade structure installation for those streateries that previously had roofs is expected to begin this weekend.
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Existing concrete barriers are being replaced with new barriers this week.
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Some concrete barriers between streateries will be removed to ease curbside access.
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The final plan includes truck loading zones, 10-minute parking for quick access to businesses, and No Parking zones that may be used for food pick-up and delivery.
New:
DDOT has posted the long-awaited proposed guidelines to support a permanent streatery program, which will allow food establishments to permanently occupy parking lanes, travel lanes, and alleys for outdoor dining. The draft guidelines can be found at
DDOT's website here
under “Resources.”
The draft guidelines outline new design requirements and permit processes that all food establishments will need to follow once adopted.
DDOT plans to present the draft guidelines to the
Public Space Committee
(PSC) on November 14th
at a Special Hearing. The Hearing will be public and will include an opportunity for public comment. DDOT will also be leading a series of targeted stakeholder information sessions to walk through the proposed guidelines in more detail.
If you currently have an active temporary streatery permit (e.g., Parklet or Other Special Event), DDOT will extend your permit from December 31, 2024 to July 31, 2025. This extension is meant to allow you to time to apply for a new public space permit from DDOT under the permanent program and bring your streateries into compliance with the new guidance, while still able to operate under your current plan.
Adams Morgan businesses with streateries should sign up to testify at the PSC meeting -- this is your chance to voice any concerns you have about the proposed guidelines.
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2024 AMPBID Annual Survey
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Below is a link to our annual survey for all members of the Adams Morgan Partnership BID. BID members are either business or commercial property owners located within our
boundaries
.
If you have not already, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. It will help us to provide better services to the business community.
Please complete the survey by October 11, 2024.
Click here for the survey
.
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Adams Mo
rgan Apple Festival:
Saturday, October 19
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The 11th Annual Adams Morgan Apple Pie Baking Contest and the 16th Annual Licking Creek Bend Farm Heirloom Apple Tasting returns to Adams Morgan on Saturday, October 19! The highly-anticipated community event will take place in front of The Line Hotel and directly across the street from the farmer’s market in Unity Park at Euclid and Champlain Streets NW.
All the slots for apple pie baking contestants have been filled.
Attention Adams Morgan Businesses
Please let us know if you’d like us to feature some sort of Fall menu item/beverage/retail item/swag/etc. and we can promote it leading up to the Apple Festival and day-of.
Please let me know by October 10 if you plan to offer a special/apple-themed item using
THIS FORM
.
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Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest:
Saturday, November 2
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DC's favorite neighborhood music festival returns on Saturday, November 2. Our last PorchFest in May featured about 80 bands on 20 stages and despite the damp weather was a huge success and we're working on making the November edition the best yet
Make plans to be in Adams Morgan on November 2 for an amazing variety of live music, great food & drinks, specials from several dozen businesses, and yes, 18th Street will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Do you want to participate?
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If you are a musician or have a band that's interested in playing, please
fill out this form
.
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If you live in the neighborhood and are thinking you'd like to be a porch host, please email
Brian Barrie
for more info.
We are looking for Adams Morgan PorchFest volunteers!
The event will take place on Saturday, November 2nd. We have just launched our Call for Volunteers, which you can
find here
. For this event, we have two different volunteer positions, and each one has two shift options:
1) Headquarters Volunteer:
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First Shift: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
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Second Shift: 3.15 to 6.30 p.m.
2) Porch Volunteer
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First Shift: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
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Second Shift: 4.00 to 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers will receive a free PorchFest Volunteer t-shirt and will have access to our event green room where non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks will be served. We hope to see you there, this event could not take place without our amazing team of volunteers!
Attention Adams Morgan Businesses
It's time to start submitting your wristband discount specials for PorchFest!
Click here to submit your special(s).
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The Adams Morgan Farmers Market at Unity Park
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Every Saturday through December
8:30am - 1:00pm
at Unity Park (Corner of Euclid St and Columbia Rd)
Celebrating more than 52 years serving the Adams Morgan community.
Peach season is finally over! We hope folks can transition into APPLE and fall produce season.
Mark your calendars for the ANNUAL APPLE FESTIVAL - Saturday, October 19, featuring the HEIRLOOM APPLE TASTING AND APPLE PIE CONTEST. More details to follow.
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN BAGS and CONTAINERS for fragile produce.
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Columbia Road "Bus Priority Project" Construction Update
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9/30 Construction Update from
Kevin Harrison
(DDOT):
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The recent rain has caused some delays in Columbia Rd construction. There is currently only temporary striping tape on Columbia Rd NW Phase 1 (west of 18th St) and we need fully dry asphalt in order to install the permanent pavement markings. We are hoping for some dry days later in the week to get started on that work. After the striping is done, our contractor will begin installing the flex post and concrete blocks to delineate the bike lane.
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The good news is that Phase 2 (east of 18th St) concrete work should begin Wednesday, assuming the weather forecast does not change, which is only a slight delay beyond what we had hoped for. The contractor will begin near 18th St on the pedestrian refuge and then the bus platforms at 17th St and then Ontario. It will take about three weeks to complete that work, assuming all goes as planned.
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Resurfacing work on Phase 2 will start after the concrete work is done, on or about Oct 21st and will take about two weeks. It will take place overnight for the segment between 18th and Ontario and during the day between Ontario and 16 th. After that will be the striping and bike lane delineators. We expect to be done with construction by the end of the calendar year.
Click here
for a pdf of a letter DDOT says the distributed around the project area last week with more project details.
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A Farewell to DC Circulator
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After 19 years of service to the District of Columbia, DC Circulator will be coming to an end.
The service wind down began on October 1, with complete elimination of service on December 31.
Service Elimination Updates:
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Rosslyn-Dupont Circle (RS-DP) route was terminated effective October 1, 2024.
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Late-night service on Woodley Park-Adams Morgan (WP-AM) and Georgetown-Union Station (GT-US) routes was terminated effective October 1, 2024. Service now ends at 9 pm daily.
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As of October 1, all routes now operate on 20-minute headways.
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Last day of service on all remaining routes is December 31, 2024.
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Get Ready for DC Parking Cashout Law Reporting
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It's almost that time of year again: DC Parking Cashout Law reporting season is about to begin! The reporting dashboard opens on
October 15
, and
all District employers with 20+ covered employees must report their compliance or exemption by January 15, 2025
.
If you've never reported before you’ll need to determine if you qualify for an exemption or if you need to choose and implement one of the compliance options.
Click here for more information about compliance options
.
Reporting may look a little different this year for certain compliance options. DDOT has been working hard to make reporting easier and more streamlined through their reporting dashboard.
Register
for the upcoming webinar on October 9, 2024 from 12 to 1 p.m.
to learn about this year's changes to the reporting process!
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Your input is needed for Climate Ready DC 2.0
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The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) are organizing six open-house events across various wards of the District for November and December. These open houses will offer residents an opportunity to engage with the updates to the Climate Ready DC Plan and provide feedback on the issues that matter most to them. We encourage all District residents to attend, share their experiences, and contribute to shaping a more resilient future for the District.
In addition to the open houses, we are also conducting a
short online survey
(available through November) to gather further input from the community. The survey takes only 2-3 minutes and is a great way for residents to share their thoughts and concerns about climate challenges.
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Amplify voices of Survivors this October with My Sister's Place DC
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With budget cuts leaving hundreds of families in our community without vital housing support, this Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is more critical than ever. Together, we can ensure that survivors aren’t forgotten.
Upcoming events:
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Community Gathering and Resource Sharing: MSP’s Clothesline Project: Saturday, October 19th at Meridian Hill Park (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Imagine a park filled with vibrant T-shirts, each one telling a story of survival, hope, and resilience. We invite the public to join us in this powerful art installation, where survivors, community partners, and supporters will create t-shirts that speak out against domestic violence and uplift the voices of survivors.
RSVP
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Fundraising for My Sister’s Place: Dacha Beer Garden Shaw: Cause Tuesday: October 22nd (6 pm to 9 pm)
Enjoy a night out while supporting a great cause! Join us for an evening at Dacha Beer Garden, where proceeds from extended happy hour wristband sales help fund the life-saving services My Sister’s Place provides to women and families in need. It’s a fun night with a powerful purpose!
RSVP
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SPONSOR A FAMILY for the holidays!
- All month long.
This upcoming holiday season, over 200 families will be taking shelter in MSP’s community housing programs. We want to give each family the opportunity to celebrate the holidays in a way that is meaningful for them. We are seeking your help in purchasing gift cards for families, which allow parents to pick out their own gifts for their children and provides empowerment and agency during a difficult time
Why Your Support Matters:
At My Sister’s Place, we shelter, empower, and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Our mission is to break the cycle of abuse through education, outreach, and providing survivors with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. But we can’t do it without the help of the community and the power of platforms like yours.
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The District rings in the new fiscal year this week, and with it, some modest, albeit positive, improvements for conducting everyday business. One of these changes is raising the debt threshold for Clean Hands certification from $100 to $1,000.
RAMW worked closely with our partners to raise the limit, but the job is far from over. We continue to press for separating business licenses from Clean Hands requirements altogether, which is the standard in most of the US. We had a strong hearing in June for At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s
Clean Hands Certification Economic Expansion and Revitalization Act
; however, time is running short before December’s end of the legislative session.
More updates on Clean Hands reform to come. On to this week’s updates:
Small Retailer Property Tax Relief Credit Expanded
Also starting this week, small businesses that earn less than $3 million in annual sales can apply for a credit of up to $10,000 to offset the cost of their property taxes or rent.
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Background:
The Small Retailer Property Tax Relief Credit, established in 2018, is a lifeline for businesses, allowing eligible businesses to offset the cost of their property taxes or rent.
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What’s New?
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen raised both the credit amount and income eligibility cap this year.
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How to Apply:
Complete the Small Retailer Property Tax Relief Credit (Schedule SR) and file with either your Corporation Business Franchise (D-20) or Unincorporated Business Franchise Tax Return (D-30). Visit
MyTax.DC.gov
and click on “Forms” then “Business Tax Forms and Publications.”
Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations
Get expert advice on how to protect your business during public demonstrations.
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Why You Should Zoom in:
With election season around the corner, public demonstrations and activism are expected to increase. For restaurants, it’s crucial to stay prepared and ensure the safety of both staff and patrons during these events.
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What You’ll Gain:
In this webinar, law enforcement officials and local business leaders will provide insights into:
Practical strategies to safeguard your business during potential disruptions; Best practices for keeping your staff and customers safe; How to collaborate with local authorities to navigate public demonstrations smoothly.
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Save the Date:
Register
for Navigating Election Season: A Restaurant’s Guide to Preparedness and Public Demonstrations at 12 pm on Oct. 9 to learn how to remain resilient and protect your business during this critical time. Fill out this
form
to pre-submit questions!
Recap: Hospitality Visa Webinar Bringing Talent to the Table
Bringing Talent to the Table, hosted by RAMW and Grossman Young & Hammond, equipped operators with the knowledge and resources to help address workforce challenges in the hospitality industry.
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ICYMI:
Attendees learned about the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act and alternative Visa Programs that can be leveraged to sponsor essential hospitality workers right now.
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Recap:
Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this vital discussion! Please find the recording linked here. Slides and one pager also attached to today’s message.
More Webinars: Beneficial Ownership Reporting Deadline
Businesses may soon face new reporting requirements under the U.S. Treasury’s beneficial ownership rules, and an upcoming webinar offers crucial insights.
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What’s new:
Does your restaurant have fewer than 20 employees and less than $5M in sales? You might need to report beneficial ownership information to the U.S. Treasury soon.
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Webinar:
Join the Insights from the U.S. Treasury – Beneficial Ownership Reporting Deadline is Near at 2 pm on Oct. 10. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network professionals will cover:
Why this reporting protects legitimate business owners; What information needs to be filed; How FinCEN will safeguard your business info.
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Why it matters:
By Dec. 31 companies must submit information on their beneficial owners to the FinCEN. Filing is free, simple, and secure.
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Learn more:
Register
for the webinar and ensure your company complies.
Now Online: DC Small Business Census
Help us to ensure that business owners of all backgrounds can thrive in DC. The 2024 DC Small Business Census can now be taken online by businesses in their own time.
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Be Counted:
DC businesses can complete the Small Business Census in just 3-5 minutes
HERE
by Oct. 31. The data helps guide government investments, support industry clusters, and expand grant opportunities.
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Already Checked the Box:
If you’ve already participated this year, no need to respond again. Questions? Contact Hannah Eli at
hannah.eli@dc.gov
.
Allied Members: On the Line Deadline Oct. 10
Be sure to share your latest and greatest in the monthly On the Line newsletter. Send your articles and pictures to
Keiristin
to be included in the next edition.
Get in on the RAMW Holiday Marketing Campaign
Let RAMW help you promote your event spaces, holiday menus, and catering options to Metropolitan-area diners this holiday season!
Food Vendors and Judges Needed: DC Afrobeats Block Party & Jollof Cook-Off
This
festival
takes place Oct. 12. The event highlights the richness and impact of West African food, culture and the global influence of Afrobeats music.
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Get Cookin:
Festival organizers are accepting participants for the Jollof Cook-off. Restaurateurs and restaurant staff are encouraged to participate.
Apply Today
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Taste and See:
Do you know what makes a winning Jollof Rice dish? Are you interested in being a Judge for the cookoff? Contact: Kweku at
kweku@afropolitancities.com
.
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Experience the Event:
Use code RAMW for 20% discount on non-VIP tickets.
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CO—100 Small Business Forum!
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October 8, 2024; 12:30 p.m.
Here are the top three reasons you should register to join the CO—100 Small Business Forum before it’s too late:
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You’ll hear insights and get expert tips for running a successful company from executives at Chopt, Ethan Allen, SheaMoisture, and more.
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Other small businesses that have successfully grown their companies will share their stories and offer advice for sustainable growth and brand building.
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They'll announce the CO—100 Top Business at the evening program (a celebration you don’t want to miss!)
Click here
for more info and to register.
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The Digital Refresh: Boost Your Digital Presence Through Our FREE Virtual 2-Part Masterclass
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Are you ready to take your digital brand presence to the next level and steer your business towards online success? Wacif is thrilled to announce their Digital Refresh Virtual Masterclass, a FREE transformative 2, 1/2-day virtual event tailored for passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners like yourself.
Join in for a two-part series on October 29th & November 1st, 2024 from 9 AM – 12:30 PM, to discover invaluable insights and actionable strategies to enhance your digital footprint.
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DC Small Biz Help Workshop: Fall 2024 Calendar
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Have you heard? The new
DCSmallBizHelp.com
is here! CNHED is excited to announce the relaunch of
DCSmallBizHelp
, a one-stop resource hub to help plan, start, and grow your small business. The newly revamped website connects small businesses to various services, programs, lenders, and government agencies in the District.
Check out the upcoming training and knowledge building opportunities in
CNHED's DC Small Business Help Workshop Calendar
.
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FY24 Business Funding Opportunities
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New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:
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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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Open for Applications
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Special Event Relief Fund
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Open for Applications
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Vitality Fund
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Open for Applications
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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💸Funding for Latino-Owned Businesses
Are you interested in starting or expanding your business? Our team of business coaches can provide you with one-on-one advice and training to help you manage and grow your business.
Apply online
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💸 Amazon Black Business Accelerator
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers.
More information
.
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💸 2024 Amber WomensNet's Grant
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here
In 1998, we gave our first Amber Grant in honor of 19-year old Amber Wigdahl, who died before fulfilling her business dreams. Today, we award three $10,000 Amber Grants each month. And three of our 36 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant.
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Additional Funding Opportunities:
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Small Business Resource Center
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DC APEX Accelerators help businesses
DC APEX Accelerator
offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.
If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC APEX Accelerator, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local, and federal government contracts.
The full calendar of upcoming events can be found
here
.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact
Kristen Barden
at
202-997-0783.
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BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online as well as in-person (hybrid) and begin at 5pm.
Our Annual Meeting is held in March. Contact
Brian Barrie
for information about attending board meetings.
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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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