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The next Adams Morgan Partnership BID (AMPBID) Board of Directors' meeting will be
Tuesday, April 14
from 5-7:00 PM.
The meeting will take place online via GoToMeeting. If you would like to attend the online meeting,
you must RSVP
, after which you will be given the meeting link.
Click here to RSVP
.
In addition to regular board business, we will be discussing the results of our business survey. There will also be discussion of measures being undertaken by the Partnership both externally to help our businesses survive and internally to cut expenses and adapt to our current reality.
As always, the public is invited to participate in the meeting, but non-board members will be muted while board business is being discussed. There will be opportunity for questions and other input.
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Events DC announces $18 million hospitality and tourism relief package
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Events DC, Washington DC’s official convention and sports authority, today announced an $18 million hospitality and tourism relief package to address the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. This critical initiative is designed to provide emergency funding to help DC’s local hospitality and tourism industry that is in dire need of immediate support. The relief package, approved by Events DC’s Board of Directors, will provide support to restaurants, hotels and undocumented workers in Washington, DC.
The full relief package includes:
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$5 million for hospitality and restaurant recovery efforts, inclusive of both worker and operator relief;
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$5 million for hotels recovery efforts, including both worker and operator programs;
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$5 million for undocumented workers across Washington, DC; and
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$3 million dedicated to destination marketing efforts, with the focus first on bringing visitors back to DC
Click here
to read the full press release.
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The CARES Act apparently fixed a glitch in the 2017 federal tax bill so that starting with their 2017 federal returns, commercial property owners will be able to expense 100% of their building improvements rather than having to capitalize them over a 39 year period. For many commercial owners this could be a real game changer.
Click Here
for more info.
Unemployment assistance for independent contractors, self employed or gig workers
CARES Act created the PUA Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program for independent contractors. There’s a formula to determine your earnings -- you’d get a weekly benefit that can last for 39 weeks plus $600 payment.
Applications will open next week. People should email
pua@dc.gov
so they will be immediately informed with PUA online application opens. There will be a streamlined online process. It will take 21 days processing most likely but could be as little as 14 days.
Greater Washington Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
The Community Foundation established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to support local nonprofits leading emergency preparedness and response efforts to help mitigate the impact on disproportionately affected communities in our region. Through this fund, we are focused on addressing lost wages, providing relief for small businesses and gig economy workers, expanding access to medical services, and meeting the unique needs of people experiencing homelessness, among other needs. Learn more about the emergency response fund
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Building Public Confidence and Marketing Our City Back to Life
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A Conversation with Greg O’Dell and Elliott Ferguson
(excerpt --
click here
to read the whole article)
To hear more about a road to recovery for the District’s travel industry, the Federal City Council hosted Greg O'Dell, President and CEO of Events DC, and Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO of Destination DC. Events DC owns and manages the Convention Center and most sports venues, while Destination DC promotes the city as a travel destination.
They are already drawing up ideas for what a recovery could look like. Under a best-case scenario, events will begin again in late summer. But these events will likely be a hybrid mix of digital and limited in-person attendance. Venues will have to find a way to follow official guidelines, as well meet the public at their comfort level for small and then eventually mass gatherings. Business may not return to pre-pandemic levels for 12-18 months.
Marketing will be key to getting the industry back on its feet. The first goal is driving local residents to District restaurants and businesses. Destination DC’s website washington.org keeps up-to-date info on what’s open locally. It is spending marketing dollars promoting local takeout and delivery. The next goal is enticing domestic travelers who will likely return before international travelers.
Mayor Bowser’s handling of the crisis will help the District’s brand during the recovery. She acted quickly, shutting down mass gatherings earlier than most other cities. She’s been transparent about COVID-19 cases and the government’s response. This generates public confidence that their own safety is the District’s top priority. When restrictions on mass gatherings are lifted, the public will then feel safer about venturing out to a restaurant or visiting the District.
Greg and Elliott expect people to return to restaurants and conferences en masse once fears subside. This is not a community of people that tends to eat at home a lot. Washingtonians are desperate to get out and hit up their favorite restaurants again. As much as some workers might be enjoying the flexibility of working from home or Zooming into meetings, Greg and Elliott aren’t so worried preferences will permanently shift away from in-person contact. We are social creatures. We need face-to-face interactions to feel connected, generate ideas and build relationships.
Click Here
to read the entire article.
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Two new webinars from Verizon
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Live Q&A—Coronavirus stimulus programsand your business.
John Blackstock of the Small Business Administration of NJ, talks with host Julie Hyman about federal economic relief programs for small businesses.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 2PM ET --
Register now
Making a digital marketing strategy for unpredictable times.
Entrepreneur Melinda Emerson shows us why marketing and social media are essential in difficult times—and how to be ready when those times are over.
Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 2PM ET --
Register now
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New flexibility for deferring your DC Health Link health insurance premiums
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From DC Health Link:
We know the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting small businesses and non-profits especially hard and many are struggling to survive. Here at DC Health Link, we are trying to help. We have implemented new flexibility to help small businesses and non-profits covered through DC Health Link to keep their health insurance coverage.
Here is a summary of what’s new:
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We are not terminating coverage
: During the District of Columbia’s Public Emergency and Public Health Emergency we are not terminating coverage for non-payment of premium. You do not have to contact us. The non-termination policy is automatically applied to your coverage.
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We are not sending late payment notices.
You will not receive a notice of late payments from us during the District of Columbia’s Public Emergency and Public Health Emergency.
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You can defer your premium payments
: We are providing a
new
60-day grace period for premium payment. The new grace period will start when the Public Health Emergency ends as determined by the Mayor. The current Public Health Emergency is scheduled to end April 24. If that is not changed, that means you will have a 60-day grace period to pay premiums from April 24th. If the Public Health Emergency is extended by the Mayor, then you will have a 60-day grace period from the date the emergency ends to pay your premiums.
In addition, I wanted to remind you that:
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We never charge late fees or interest for late payment of premium.
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You always have a 60-day grace period to pay premiums. This is year-round and is automatically available to any employer who is late making the premium payment. The 60-day grace period begins the date premium is due. Note that the new grace period we adopted would begin when the public health emergency is over in DC. So, the new grace period provides more time.
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We work with each business on a case-by-case basis on a workable repayment plan if an employer is unable to make premium payments.
We are invested in your success and ultimate recovery from this pandemic. We will continue to look for additional ways to make it easier for you to stay insured. As the situation continues to evolve, I will provide updates. Please stay safe.
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Capital Bikeshare for Essential Workers
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In response to the public health crisis, Capital Bikeshare is offering FREE 30-day memberships to essential workers and businesses in the DC metro area. These nonrenewable memberships are valid for unlimited 30-minute trips for 30 days through May 31, 2020.
Who's Eligible?
Essential workers, including those in the healthcare, food service, food retail, and other essential industries traveling anywhere within the District of Columbia, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County.
How Do I Enroll?
Employers should email
HeroBikes@Lyft.com
to enroll their staff, or individuals can enroll themselves with a direct email. Enrollment period ends May 1, 2020.
Click here
for more info.
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"Buy Restaurant Bonds" campaign encourages customers to support restaurants by gift card purchases
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The Adams Morgan Partnership is trying to help restaurants and bars that have forced to close or severely limit their services by encouraging customers to purchase gift cards for future dining. We are trying to make a splash with this campaign -- modeled after the
Buy War Bonds
campaigns of WWI and WWII -- to help draw attention to our 100+ restaurants and employees that are facing an uncertain future. Please join in via your own social media accounts using the hashtag
#BuyRestaurantBonds
Please tag us in your social media posts about the operating status of your business so we can pass the information along.
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POST YOUR EVENT ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FREE
If your business has an upcoming event happening in Adams Morgan, you can
submit it to our website here
. Submissions are moderated to ensure they are relevant to the Adams Morgan community.
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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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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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