January 3, 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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January AMPBID Board Meeting
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The next board meeting of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (AMPBID) will be on
Tuesday, January 9 at 5pm
via Zoom.
Click here
to attend the board meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, January 9 at 5pm.
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Mayor Bowser to Release FY24 Green Book Opportunities Alongside Downtown Business Leaders
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On
Thursday, January 4 at 11 am
, Mayor Muriel Bowser will be joined by District officials and the Downtown DC business community to outline the record-breaking opportunities for DC-based businesses in the Fiscal Year 2024 Green Book.
First launched in 2016, the Green Book provides DC-based Small Business Enterprises (SBEs) with an agency-by-agency overview of available opportunities to do business with District government. Each agency and office sets a yearly target on spending dedicated to local businesses, and the Green Book allows SBEs to search for, identify, and bid on these opportunities by industry.
The Green Book is part of Mayor Bowser’s commitment to provide increased opportunities for local businesses and ensure all Washingtonians get a fair shot.
Thursday, January 4 at 11 am
The Square, 1850 K Street NW
The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit
mayor.dc.gov/live
, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X.
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Apply now for 2024 District Sustainability Awards
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The application period is now open for the 2024 District Sustainability Awards and the 2024 Clean Energy DC Award. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to apply. Application instructions and eligibility requirements are listed on the DOEE awards page (link below).
The application period closes on January 30, 2024
To view the online application form and learn more about the awards, go to
District Sustainability Awards
.
What are the awards?
The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working towards a more sustainable DC. Awardees’ projects and programs support the Mayor’s
Sustainable DC Plan
, which aims to make the District the nation’s greenest, healthiest, most sustainable city; it encompasses equity, governance, education, built environment, climate, economy, energy, food, nature, transportation, waste, and water.
If you have questions or need help filling out the form, contact Mary Lynn Wilhere, Urban Sustainability Administration, at (202) 535-1939 or email,
marylynn.wilhere@dc.gov
.
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Cheers to the Year That Was and to the One Ahead: RAMW Legislative Wrap-Up
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Dear Operator,
A friend recently shared the idea that despite winter’s chill, briefer hours of sunlight, and general starkness, winter is the crucible that forges spring. Nature is dormant to our eyes but below ground is undergoing intense changes in preparation for renewal.
One day we might remember 2023 as the boiler that shaped our own next season of bloom. More than 3 years since the pandemic shut down dining rooms, the going is as tough as ever; perhaps even harder now that both stimulus and relief checks have long been spent. We learned in our spring and fall member surveys that not only has revenue yet to return to pre-pandemic norms; many of us are struggling to match sales from last year. More restaurants and bars closed in 2023 than did in 2022 or 2021. The pace of restaurant openings similarly slowed.
Entrepreneurs are nothing if not relentlessly optimistic. If downturns are cyclical then we are primed (and impatient) for its subsequent upswing. This month’s Cocktail Week notched record popularity among diners, and we awarded more than $25,000 in Educated Eats scholarships to the next generation’s culinary stars. Excitement brews for 2024’s restaurant openings, which come from beloved Made in DC brands as well as national favorites. We are closer than ever to reforming dram shop law, which will save our local industry millions of dollars and is a model for advancing pro-small business legislation on a field where we have traditionally played defense.
In every conversation with operators I hear a readiness for renewal. This coming year may yet deliver it.
Here are some of the year’s biggest legislative stories:
When Public Safety Is the Top Issue, It’s the Only Issue
District small business owners and residents endured an historic year of violence that commanded operators’ concerns and policymakers’ agendas.
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From the Dais
: Dozens of public safety proposals were put forward, ranging from expanding police powers, to increasing penalties, to expanding data collection, to improving the 911 call center and crime lab.
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What Passed
: Councilmembers in July temporarily approved some measures, including holding in jail individuals charged with a violent crime if previously convicted of assault or other violent offenses.
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What Else to Know
: RAMW all year called lawmakers’ attention to the experiences and priorities of members, including the need to pause a new law requiring businesses to accept cash payments until armed robberies and smash and grab burglaries are drawn down. Then-Police Chief Robert Contee met with operators at our March Annual Meeting, and new Chief Pamela Smith spoke with members at a town hall in November.
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What’s Next
: Expect the Council to vote on a public safety omnibus bill before summer.
Dram Shop Reform Closer Than Ever
This has long ranked near the top of operators’ priorities: Lowering the exorbitant costs of the District’s liquor liability insurance, which is among the most expensive in the US and in some cases 100 times more than in Maryland or Virginia.
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What Made This Year Different
: Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Christina Henderson rang in 2023 and new legislative session with a proposal to bring the District’s liquor liability rules — and ultimately costs — in line with the rest of the country.
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Behind the Scenes
: Dram shop reform headlined our legislative agenda in our spring and summer Coffee with Your Councilmember meetings held with the DC Nightlife Council.
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Not-So Behind the Scenes
: Following a good June hearing in support of dram shop reform, the proprietors of
Number Nine and Trade
and
Black Cat
penned strong Op-Eds further pressing the case.
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This Means
: We’re anticipating a bill mark-up and vote shortly after the Council reconvenes from winter break.
First Tipped Wage Increases Take Effect
Front of house costs climbed 50 percent this year as the first two increases set by Initiative 82 arrived.
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It Was Another Difficult Year for Restaurants
: Payroll, and stubborn inflation as a whole, were one slice of a triple whammy of violence and still-diminished downtown density that District operators continued to contend with.
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It Costs More Than Ever to Run a Restaurant
: 75 percent of restaurants are
less profitable
than before the pandemic. While menu prices have climbed an average of 16 percent, it’s not keeping up with food costs (up 23 percent from 2019) or rent (up 18 percent).
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Revenue and Traffic Tumble
: More than one-third of restaurants experienced drops in sales and customer traffic from the last two years as higher prices led diners to
eat at home more often
and choose restaurants in Maryland and Virginia.
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Meanwhile
: A bill to speed up the end of the tipped credit met opposition at a summer hearing, as did a proposal to waive sales tax on small group service charges. Speaking of which …
Service Charges Take Center Stage
As operators struggled to find ways to make ends meet, small party service fees, which became commonplace at the onset of the pandemic, this year drew the ire of diners and lawmakers alike.
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2023 Food Trend to Forget
: Check-Shaming. It’s when diners post photos of restaurant receipts and highlight the service charge accompanied by a snarky comment. Service charges captured the attention of local media almost more than any other restaurant subject this year, resulting in dozens of
articles
,
posts
, and
ultimate guides
. There’s also a
crowdsourced service fee spreadsheet
on Reddit.
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AG Targets Service Fees in First 100 Days
: New DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb in March issued business and consumer alerts about when and how diners should be informed about service charges. He followed up in August with specific menu examples.
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Feds Dislike Service Fees Too
: The Federal Trade Commission surprised everyone when in October they proposed banning restaurant service charges and similar fees such as credit card surcharges. The effort is part of a larger campaign aimed at airline, concert, and hotel fees. Our partners at the National Restaurant Association are leading opposition efforts. Stay tuned for how to make your voice heard on this issue in the new year.
Also in the News
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A law
requiring anti-harassment training
for restaurants that employ tipped workers took effect this year, along with a new curriculum and dozens of RAMW classes for operators and workers.
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The District’s 2024 budget included a number of programs to support local neighborhood restaurants, including $3.2 million in downtown grants, an additional $6 million to help
first-time commercial property buyers
, and a raise for
DC's Main Streets
.
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The Director of the District’s Department of Employment Services in November said that notices charging dozens of operators with wage theft were
sent in error
.
Last Thing
Last year’s wrap-up message concluded with some short words to keep in your pocket in case you’re unexpectedly asked to toast in the New Year. Keeping with that sentiment, here are some more brief words to cheers to the year that was and to the one ahead.
Join me in raising a glass to the year that was. Always celebrate the endings, because they precede the new beginnings.
Salut! See you next year.
Che
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Medical Cannabis - Open Application Schedule
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The application open period schedule is specified below.
Applications must be received between 9:00 a.m. on the first day of the open period and 4:00 p.m. on the final day of the open period. Applications received outside the permitted period by any amount of time will be rejected.
Follow our step-by-step
application guidance
. Additional forms may be located in the
Medical Cannabis Application and Form Library
.
Applicant Group:
Licensed Operator
Start & End dates:
May 1, 2023 - May 1, 2024
Available License Type(s):
Manufacturer
Applicant Group:
Standard &
Social Equity
Start & End dates:
(applications are no longer being accepted)
Available License Type(s):
Courier
,
Cultivation Ctr
,
Manufacturer
Applicant Group:
Unlicensed Operator
Start & End dates:
Nov 1, 2023 - Jan 29, 2024
Available License Type(s):
Cultivation Ctr
,
Internet Retailer
,
Retailer
Applicant Group:
Social Equity
Start & End dates:
March 1, 2024 - April 20, 2024
Available License Type(s):
Internet Retailer
,
Retailer
Applicant Group:
Standard
Start & End dates:
July 1, 2024 - August 29, 2024
Available License Type(s):
Manufacturer
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Virtual Event: State of American Business
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Thursday, January 11, 2024
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark will promote the innovation and impact of America’s free enterprise system during the annual event, which draws more than 10,000 people and connects business leaders, policymakers, journalists, and the public from across the country and around the world.
State of American Business, taking place virtually on Jan. 11, will celebrate the power of American businesses to serve customers, solve problems and strengthen society.
Click here
for more information and to register.
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Explore resources to help you start and grow a business in 2024
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Learn how to write an effective business plan
A business plan is the foundation of your business and can serve as a roadmap for success in 2024 and beyond. Write a business plan quickly and efficiently with a
business plan template
.
SBA Resource Partners
SBA is here to help you achieve your small business dreams in 2024 no matter your industry, location, or experience.
Our SBA Resource Partners
offer mentoring, counseling, and training to help you start, grow, expand, or recover. These independent organizations operate across the United States and U.S. territories.
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LEDC Food Venture Initiative
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Under the LEDC Food Venture Initiative, LEDC now offers two distinct programs designed to support food entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey:
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Food Business Incubator
:
This 8-week hybrid program is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs with a food business idea. It focuses on the fundamentals of starting a business, aiming to launch participants' ventures within 90 days.
READ MORE HERE
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Food Business Accelerator:
This 12-week hybrid program is tailored for established food business owners with proven concepts earning over $3,500/month. It offers up to 24 courses and workshops, concentrating on significant revenue and operational growth.
READ MORE HERE
Each program is uniquely structured to guide entrepreneurs from initial concept to market launch, and then from early success to substantial business expansion.
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Ascend.Her Capital Accelerator 2024 Cohort
Q&A session on Thursday
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Women of color entrepreneurs face unique challenges, from raising capital to external biases affecting day-to-day operations. As an expansion of
Wacif's award-winning Ascend Capital Accelerator program
, Ascend.Her is dedicated to serving women of color entrepreneurs through a holistic, multi-week program. Our hands-on approach includes interactive workshops, one-on-one expert consultations, and individualized support. Ultimately, our goal is to support the growth and long-term success of women entrepreneurs of color in the Greater Washington, D.C. region, including the surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia.
This year’s Ascend.Her Capital Accelerator:
Lead Cohort is designed to help entrepreneurs of color navigate a complex marketplace and build resilient businesses in an ever-changing marketplace. Together, we will pause and reflect on our experiences as entrepreneurs and leaders to date while determining how to lead businesses into their next chapters of growth and development. Ascend.Her Lead will include up to fifteen (15) local small businesses owned by women of color entrepreneurs from the Greater Washington, D.C. region.
There will be a Q&A Session on January 4, 2023, from 12 PM - 12:30 PM to answer any of your cohort-related questions.
Register here!
Click here
for more information.
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ATTN Female-owned minority business enterprises (MBEs):
ELEVATE Applications are now open
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The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) and the George Washington University, School of Business (GWSB) are pleased to announce the launch of the fourth round of ELEVATE, a three-month executive education program designed for minority-owned businesses located in the District of Columbia.
ELEVATE is the only minority executive education program in DC that is backed by a university partner. The 3-month ELEVATE curriculum, developed by the George Washington School of Business (GWSB) Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, is led by GWSB faculty members.
ELEVATE Cohort IV will convene twice monthly on Saturdays from February 17, 2024, to May 18, 2024, to provide best-in-class instruction to sharpen further the business acumen of the minority, female-owned businesses to enhance their competitive advantage and prime them for growth. Through this program, participants will acquire new skills that will assist them in increasing revenue and employment while also more effectively and efficiently managing their business’s products and services.
Click here
to view eligibility requirements and to apply.
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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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💸 Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (DMPED)
The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund will provide eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $750,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. This year, businesses will need to complete three mandatory sessions in order to apply for the Fund. OPEN now on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
Learn more here
.
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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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💸 Wish Local Empowerment Program
Wish is dedicating a $2M dollar fund to give roughly 4,000 Wish Local small business grants for black-owned biz. The selected recipients will receive between $500 - $2000. This program will only be open to Black-owned stores to help promote equality and diversity.
More information
.
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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 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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