CLICK HERE for up-to-date listings of which Adams Morgan businesses are open during this crisis and what their delivery/carryout/gift card options are.

Home Sweet Home

April 21, 2020

#InThisTogether

Updates from Adams Morgan

For the latest from the DC government, refer to: https://coronavirus.dc.gov

Resources for small businesses: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery-business

Click Here to see previous updates in our newsletter archive


Is your business offering Mother's Day specials?

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 10 this year and it looks like we're still going to be under lockdown, so this is your opportunity to get the word out about specials you may be planning.

Please let us know if your business is planning on something special for the moms out there -- perhaps a takeout or delivery brunch, a Mother's Day sale, or maybe a special digital gift card to minimize contact with other people -- and we'll help promote it over the next two weeks.

Please send your Mother's Day specials to Brian Barrie .

Details about the District's Economic Recovery Team

The District’s Economic Recovery Team (DERT) is working to plan to coordinate how we will restart business activity, support our workforce, and ensure that all of our residents can continue to call Washington D.C. home.

  1. Plan and strategize to restart the DC economy
  2. Support workforce development
  3. Explore further Federal funding
  4. Gather economic intelligence
  5. Engage with stakeholders

Go to: coronavirus.dc.gov/recovery/business to submit recommendations for economic recovery

Related Notes:

Jeff Finkle from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) mentioned the website: restoreyoureconomy.org as a good resource. He also recommends:

  1. Collaborate not compete around healthcare and testing
  2. Diversification of the economy -- DC's reliance on tourism and hosting large groups of people will need to be modified
  3. Healthcare = economic development
  4. Need to build a safety net for employees to get access to health care and also the newly unemployed
  5. Future of energy: need less reliance on fossil fuels
  6. Prepare for more remote work - what does that mean for office buildings?
  7. Skill investment in our workforce must accelerate

Kristi Whitfield, Director of DSLBD, says DSLBD is organizing business recovery webinars. They will publish a calendar of events soon.

Recommended reading from DMPED:

Johns Hopkins Public Health Principals for a Phased Reopening - Guidance for Governors

DERT is asking for input from all stakeholders as they work to plan and coordinate how the city will restart business activity, support the workforce and residents.  Share your ideas and thoughts here .


Join the Adams Morgan Partnership in asking Congress to provide DC with state-level support.

Business owners and operators in the District are being asked to add their names to a letter asking Congress for additional funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by Wednesday, April 22. Congress allocated $500 million for the District, treating DC as a territory, but each state was provided at least $1.25 billion in direct payments. This effort is being organized by the Federal City Council. Sign here today .



Mortgage Relief Program bill amended

Today, DC Council considered and added amendments to the Mortgage Relief Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 .

Changes include:

  • Requires all landlords that are receiving a mortgage deferral to notify their tenants that they are receiving a deferral
  • Landlords notified by tenants of their inability to pay all or a portion the rent as a result of the public health emergency are required to reduce the rent of tenants proportional to their reduction in mortgage payments
  • Tenants must pay back the total amount of any rent reduction, without interest or fees, within 18 months or at the end of the lease term, whichever occurs first
  • Prohibits rent increases at commercial properties during the public health emergency, and for 30 days thereafter
  • A provision was previously passed to prohibit residential rent increases
  • Allows nightclubs to deliver food with beer, wine, or liquor for takeout or delivery


DCRA Launches ‘Scout,’ New Consolidated Data System

Looking For District Data? Scout It

As part of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ (DCRA) digital transformation, we’ve created Scout , a new online resource that allows users to find and track permits, licenses, inspections, enforcement actions, and regulatory information across the District all in one place. Think of it as one-stop-shopping for all the data you need. Users may search using a street address, business name, person’s name, permit, or license number.

This is the pilot version of Scout, so we encourage you to give it a try, and send us feedback so we can make the application better and better.

Click here for more information about Scout


Urgent Campaign, 4/20-22!

District Ranked Lowest in SBA PPP Loans

#ThinkLocalDC #SmallBizNeedsNOW!

On April 20, Evercore released calculations showing the disparity between the US states for the SBA PPP loans, since April 13. The District of Columbia came in at #51 of 51, making us the lowest % of eligible payroll [30.4%] and 3,253 loans approved = $1.2B. Note: Calculations update in real-time.

As business hours got started today, we’re sharing #SmallBizNeedsNow campaign - not business as usual, but a plan to get #smallbiz on the path to economic recovery. The #PPPLoan should be a bridge to a more comprehensive program that works for ALL #smallbiz

America's #SmallBiz is facing a crisis like no other. Legislators MUST listen to what #SmallBizNeedsNow and take action to prevent further collapse.

We have joined our friends at the Institute for Local Self Reliance and Main Street Alliance and WE NEED YOU to join this campaign too. Below are some sample messages from ISLR for social media for April 20, 21 and 22 and the recommendations .


DC Small Business Workshops

Grow your small business! The calendar DC Small Business Help Workshops compiles resources and workshops from a variety of organizations, covering leasing, business plans, entrepreneurship and more. Click here for the calendar.


Free signs for your business

Gelberg Signs would like to support all essential businesses during these rough times by providing a FREE sign to essential businesses who are in need of letting customers know they’re open for business.

If any of the signs below would be of help, they will provide them FREE for you to pick up at their factory here in DC:

6511 Chillum Place, NW 20012

There is NO CHARGE. You only need to call to let them know which design you prefer and when you'd like to pick up.

To order, call 202.882.7733 or 240.372.7148

AMPBID Digital Assistance During COVID-19

Adams Morgan Partnership BID is offering Website, Digital Marketing, and Social Media Advice for Small Businesses During COVID-19.

We are available to offer digital assistance to our Adams Morgan small businesses during COVID-19. Whether you're a retailer that’s temporarily closed your doors, a restaurant promoting takeout and delivery offerings, or an online business that’s experiencing a spike you weren’t anticipating, we're here to help you identify potential marketing opportunities and assist in “figuring out where to begin.” We may not have all the answers, but we’re committed to providing you with relevant and timely resources that you’ll need as you navigate through the uncertainty ahead.

If you are in need of digital marketing tips, social media setup/strategy, or website advice, we’re here to help and please don't hesitate to reach out (virtually) to bbarrie@admodc.org to set up a time to speak with us so that we can brainstorm together.

In the meantime, here are a few steps that you can take today:

  • If you don't have a website, consider building an e-commerce/shoppable landing page where customers can buy your products online. You can also use it to sell gift cards that people can buy now for future use.
  • Landing pages can also be a great way to collect contact information from your audience. Create a page with a signup form, share the link across your social channels, and then start sending regular updates to keep potential customers informed about everything going on with you and your business.
  • Consider setting up Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels to share relevant, timely information with your audience.
  • If you’ve got a product that’s been particularly popular, consider setting up social media ads on Facebook and/or Instagram to boost awareness among new and existing customers.
  • Instagram stories can be an interactive way to connect with your audience. Try posting a few to show off your products, discuss your plans for the coming months, etc.
  • Let us know what you are doing so we can help you get the word out!

If you find that these (or any other content opportunities you’ve discovered) resonate with your audience, consider adding them to your long-term marketing plans. Any strategies you put into place now will only make your business stronger on the other side.

Please feel free to reach out to us and we will do our best to walk you through some suggestions and provide you with potential resources. We are here to help the best we can!


Don't forget to complete the 2020 Census

It’s not too late to complete the 2020 Census (many people think April 1st was the deadline). Accurate census data is important for post-COVID 19 recovery efforts.

Click here to complete the form . If you don't have your 12-digitCensusID, you can enter your home address instead.


"Buy Restaurant Bonds" campaign encourages customers to support restaurants by gift card purchases

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.



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.

Tag us on social media!

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