January 24, 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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Join the Board of Directors
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The Adams Morgan Partnership BID (AMPBID) annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12.
Board Elections:
AMPBID holds elections every year at our annual meeting in March. The board consists of 15 seats, nine of which are reserved for commercial property owners and six for business owners. Board members are elected to serve three-year terms (unless they are replacing a board member who resigned before the end of their term).
If you are a business or commercial property owner and are interested in running for a seat on the board, please reach out to
Andrew Nimmer
for more information.
There are two ways to become a board member nominee: 1) Through a nominating petition, as per the process in our bylaws, those will be accepted until February 1st. Nominating petitions for board members must be submitted to Kristen Barden, Executive Director, at least 40 days prior to the date of the annual meeting (February 1, 2024). Petitions must have the signatures of at least 10 AMPBID members or 2) through the AMPBID’s nominating committee. The committee will present their slate of candidates at the February 13 monthly board meeting.
Postcards with information about the AMPBID Annual Meeting will be mailed to all AMPBID members soon. Ballots for the election will be send in mid-February after the Nominating Committee presents their slate of candidates.
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Valentine’s Day Card Workshop
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Join us on Saturday, February 3 anytime between 2pm and 6pm for a free
Valentine's Day Card Workshop
! We are partnering with our friends at
Because Science
for this fun, DIY event perfect for adults and kids! This workshop includes all materials to make quirky Valentine's Day cards. Here's what we have:
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[Dino-mite Valentine] Great for kids (but not just for them!), these color-in valentines come with a free dino model to attach to your valentine.
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[Anatomical Heart Greeting Cards] Perhaps the quintessential symbol of Valentine's Day (well, at Because Science anyway!), we're serving up the anatomical heart with a dash of punn-ery. Color in the card and add your own valentine pun- we'll have lots to choose from. Dads beware: we're good at the science jokes!
If you can color, this event is for you! Adults and kids of any age are welcome to participate.
This activity is free for all and does not require advance registration - just stop by anytime during activity hours (plan for about 15-20 minutes to do the activity). However, registering for the event will help us get a read on how much material to prepare and will enable you to easily import the event to your calendar or invite friends!
Please RSVP here
.
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Attention Adams Morgan Businesses: Love is in the air
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Valentine’s Day Storefront Decorating Contest
We invite you to join the 5th Annual Adams Morgan Valentine's Day retail window decorating contest for a chance to win a cash prize of $500! There will be one retailer/services winner and one restaurant/bar winner. Each winner will receive a $500 prize.
To enter, please complete the
Sign Up Form
.
Entry deadline:
Monday, January 29, 2024
Decorations deadline:
Monday, February 5, 2024
Judging:
Friday, February 9, 2024
Winners announced:
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Adams Morgan Date Nights
Each year patrons can enter to win a Date Night package from our local businesses on our social media and through our website. For examples of our packages
see details here
. Please email
marketing@adamsmorganonline.org
if you’d like to contribute to the raffle. One winner will be chosen each week, Wednesday, February 14 through Sunday, March 16.
Deadline to be included:
Friday, January 19, 2024.
Share Your Valentine’s Day Promotions
To participate in general promotions, please email
marketing@adamsmorganonline.org
with any Valentine’s Day specials, menus, and/or events to be included in our newsletter, social media, website, and more.
Please note that this is not a part of the Date Nights raffle.
Deadline to be included:
Friday, February 2, 2024.
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Coffee Hour: Coffee & Conversation with the AMPBID
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Starting
Thursday, February 15th from 8:30-10am
and continuing every third Thursday of each month, the Adams Morgan Partnership BID invites our business community to Coffee Hour! This is a free, informal event that offers businesses an opportunity to chat with BID staff, ask questions, learn about community news, introduce yourself, connect with neighbors, and more. This monthly in-person event will take place at Venture X located at 1763 Columbia Road NW. Your
RSVP
is requested for planning purposes, although not required. Walk-ins are welcome.
We look forward to seeing you at our first Coffee Hour!
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Alert: Ann Hughes Hargrove Park is closed for renovation
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The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) would like to inform the community that Ann Hughes Hargrove Triangle Park (located at 19th Street NW/Kalorama Road NW/Columbia Road NW) is temporarily closed for renovation. DPR will update the community once the renovation is complete.
Residents are welcome to contact DPR's Customer Care Center by phone at (202) 673-7647 or by email at
dprcustomercare@dc.gov
should you have any additional questions.
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Washington Gas Focus Group Listening Session
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Register today for the Ward 1 Focus Group Listening Session on
Monday, January 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Busboys and Poets
located at 2021 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC. The focus group listening sessions in this series of meetings support the EAB's mission of ensuring community input around the value and safety of natural gas is shared with Washington Gas. This event will provide an opportunity for community leaders and residents to share their perceptions about and experiences with Washington Gas and the natural gas industry.
Click here
to register to attend.
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Project Update For Your Area-Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Project
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Week of January 22
Belmont Road NW, between Columbia Road NW and 18th Street NW
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Wednesday, January 24:
Tonight’s water main tie-in at 18th Street and Belmont Road NW has been cancelled
, and will be reschedule for another date, tbd.
Week of January 29
Belmont Road NW, between Columbia Road NW and 18th Street NW
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Monday, January 29 - Friday, February 2:
Throughout next week, we will continue with water service reconnections to properties at this location.
Please keep in mind that these construction activities are highly dependent upon favorable weather conditions. Questions should be directed to Director of Community Affairs Emanuel D. Briggs, (202) 787-2003 or
emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com
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DDOT Announces the Start of Phase Two of The Automated Bus Enforcement for the Clear Lanes Program
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The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced that ticketing for Phase 2 of the Clear Lanes program will begin on January 29, 2024. Clear Lanes, in partnership with Metro, aims to improve bus travel times and enhance bus stop safety and accessibility by using cameras mounted on Metrobuses to identify vehicles illegally operating, parking, standing, or stopping in dedicated bus lanes and bus zones. Photos of violating vehicles are sent to DDOT, which will verify a qualifying offense.
Starting on January 29, 2024, Phase 2 enforcement begins, in which drivers illegally driving, parking, standing, or stopping in a bus lane (areas marked by red paint and signage) may receive a $100 fine. Phase 1 began November 15, 2024, in which drivers illegally parking, standing, or stopping in a bus zone (area around a bus stop) may receive a $100 fine.
Click here
for more information about the Clear Lanes Program.
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Save the Date: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon and 5k returns on March 16, 2024
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The race route has not changed since last year and will come into Adams Morgan via Calvert Street and the Ellington Bridge, turn east onto Columbia Rd., continuing to Harvard St. where it will turn right and continue into Columbia Heights.
Click here
for more information about the race including road closures, and
here for the full course map
.
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Dram Shop Vote Set Feb. 6
DC Council this week scheduled a first reading and vote for the
Dram Shop Clarification Act
to help lower the cost of the District’s liquor liability insurance, which is among the most expensive in the US.
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What’s in the Bill
: The legislation, introduced last year by Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Christina Henderson, would add key definitions, terms, standards, and a 2-year statute of limitations to current law.
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What Else
: Also in the bill are proposals to authorize restaurants and bars to annually register five ABC managers, make permanent current temporary third party delivery regulations, and establish an education campaign for what ending the tip credit means for diners.
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What’s Not in It:
Caps on damages met opposition and were removed from the original proposal. We still expect the District’s insurance ranking to drop from second worst in the county and to see a savings in rates.
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What’s Next
: Thank you to RAMW members who have been joining our Coffee with Your Councilmember meetings this month with the
DC Nightlife Council
. More actions are scheduled as we head toward our first vote. Contact
Che
for more information and how you can support dram shop reform.
Secure DC Safety Bill Moves Ahead
DC Council also set Feb. 6 to consider the
Secure DC Omnibus bill
, which packages together a number of public safety measures.
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Details
: Dozens of measures are in the
90-page bill
, including:
New gun penalties and offenses for retail theft; increased carjacking penalties; pretrial detention for defendants; previously convicted of violent crimes; reinstating MPD’s ability to declare drug-free zones; expanded security camera and glass-breaker sensors rebates; culinary and hospitality training at DC jail for soon-to-be returning citizens
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What’s More
: At the urging of RAMW and dozens of operators, included in the bill is a 1-year pause on the Cashless Retailers Act, which requires all District businesses to accept cash payments.
RAMMYS Nominations Now Open
Nominations are officially open for the 2024 RAMMY Awards, our annual celebration of all of you who make the DMV’s food and drink scene one of the most outstanding in the world.
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And the RAMMY Goes to
…
Submit your nominations
for any RAMW member in good standing (including yourself) by February 29. Finalists are announced April 8.
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Where’s the Party?
At the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on July 21. Mark your calendars!
Culinary Scholarship Deadline Extended
Is there an up-and-coming hospitality professional in your life?
Applications are open
until Jan. 31 for the Educated Eats Frans Hagen Scholarships of up to $5,000 for students and industry professionals pursuing careers in food service. Previous recipients are welcome to apply.
Sound Off on FTC Service Fees Proposal
As we’ve shared earlier, the Federal Trade Commission is proposing to
ban service fees
and other similar charges. We’re watching this one closely with our national partners.
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For Context
: Policymakers have taken a keen interest in how fees are charged on everything from airlines, to concerts, to hotels.
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Quote
: “This proposed rule appears to be a scattershot plan that both attacks the restaurant business model and forces us to raise our prices,” said Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association.
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Comment Deadline Feb. 7
: Restaurant and bar operators can share how this proposed rule would affect their
income and operations here
. Workers can also submit their
comments here
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More Federal Updates: Family Leave Credit, Restaurant Deductions, Debit Card Fees
Lots more to report from The Hill from our partners at the National Restaurant Association.
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Family Leave
: The newly introduced
Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension
would make permanent a pilot program offering businesses a tax credit for offering paid leave.
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Tax Deductions
: The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act would restore expired deductions for restaurateurs investing in their operations. Contact
Aaron Frazier
to learn more.
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Debit Card Swipe Fees
: The comment period for a proposal to cut debit card swipe fees by approximately 33 percent was
extended to May 12
. If passed, restaurant and bar operators and other small businesses could save millions annually.
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New Business Sentiments survey
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The D.C. Policy Center is launching its
Quarterly Business Sentiments survey
. The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete, and will remain open until 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.
Click here to take the survey.
The Business Sentiments Survey has been developed by the D.C. Policy Center’s
Alice Rivlin Initiative on Economic Policy & Competitiveness
. The survey will supply systematic, comprehensive information on the business community’s experiences to elected officials, the media, and the public. Questions will center on overall business climate, barriers to growth, and business-related interactions with government.
Click here
to learn more.
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Thursday’s Webinar: Honoring MLK Jr & Celebrating Black History Month
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Join SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute for a webinar on
January 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET
honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. and celebrating Black History Month. This webinar is part of the “Invest in America: Small Business Tools and Resources” series and is focused on educational resources business owners and leaders can utilize regarding laws that were created to help their businesses thrive in today’s economy.
Click here
for more information and to register.
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Exclusive Training with DSLBD, OTR, and DLCP - Prepare for FY'24 Green Grants and Tax Season!
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The Business Opportunities Division at DSLBD is partnering with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) and DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) for a dynamic two-fold training. This unique program is crafted to answer your common questions and provide invaluable insights from DSLBD, DLCP, and OTR in preparation for the upcoming CBE All Things Green Grants and Tax season, to include Clean Hands Certificate and DC Business Licensing.
Training Highlights:
Virtual Presentation
- Wednesday, January 24th, 12pm-1pm
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OTR will delve into the Clean Hands Certificate and other essential business tax fundamentals that will empower your business to navigate the tax landscape with confidence and success.
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DLCP will provide insights into DC Business Licensing and the DC Business Center, covering forms, requirements, time, cost information.
In-Person Health Check - Tuesday, February 6th, 10am-2pm
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Personalized assistance from DSLBD, OTR, and DLCP representatives to address your individual concerns.
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Appointment-based sessions (first come, first served), with walk-ins accommodated based on availability. (Link to book your appointment time will be sent on Monday, January 29th.)
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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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💸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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💸 SKIP Monthly Grants
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 29th
Learn more and apply here
SKIP offers monthly grants for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Apply monthly!
💸 SKIP 2024 Yearly Grant
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 31st
Learn more and apply here
SKIP offers a $10,000 grant that is open to all U.S.-based small business owners and entrepreneurs. This grant aligns with Skip’s mission to remove barriers to funding and allow innovation to thrive.
💸 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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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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