Contact: Daour Diawara, Small Business Development Fellow, (202) 661-8673, ddiawara@wdcep.com

Technology, Antiques and Free Legal Aide are Winners at WDCEP Small Business Awards

Adam A Weschler & Son, Digidoc, Inc and the DC Bar Pro Bono Program to be recognized at July 28th Small Business Awards Breakfast

Washington, DC– The 120 year old Weschler & Son, DC’s own Digidoc, Inc and the much respected DC Bar Pro Bono Program will be recognized this July 28 at the third annual Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) Small Business Awards.

In addition to recognizing local businesses in the following three categories: Small Business of the Year, 100 Year Old Business of the Year and Business Initiative of the Year; the WDCEP Small Business Awards will feature a keynote address by CoStar founder Andy Florance.  The winner of WDCEP’s $100,000 Business Plan Competition will also be announced.

“These DC based enterprises are icons for other businesses here in the District,” says Steve Moore, President and CEO of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership.  They are a source of pride to us and great servants to the community.”

WDCEP and its Board of Directors worked in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to undertake this business initiative.  For more information, click here. To register for the Small Business Awards ceremony please click here.

Digital Capital (DC) Week: SBA’s Hot Start

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a “Hot Start” during Digital Capital Week to promote technology business start-ups in the Nation’s Capital.  Aspiring entrepreneurs and current start-ups are invited to join SBA and a wide span of partners and business experts that will share advice, practical tips and more on-site.   Panel sessions on start-up basics, the ‘nuts and bolts’ of running a small business, financing options, and real-world case studies will compliment hands-on services provided by business counselors, lenders, and local business licensing officials.

The event is free and open to the public.  All entrepreneurs interested in starting their first business (or their fifteenth!) are welcome to attend.

SBA’s Hot Start event will be held on Friday, June 18th from 9am to 1pm EDT at: The UMC Conference Ctr. 900 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20001

Digital Capital Week, or “DC Week”, is a ten-day ‘festival’ filled with activities across the District to promote and support area entrepreneurs.  Log on to www.DigitalCapitalWeek.org for information and a schedule of activities.  Interested entrepreneurs can also sign up for events, including SBA’s Hot Start, on the website.

Watch the video to get the inside scoop on how Kris’s spirit of entrepreneurship has led him to employ 53 people at three District businesses.  You’ll also get a tour of the business.  Kris is an inspiration for all local business owners.  He’s a graduate of George Washington University and after graduation decided to stay in the city to start a business.  Congratulations to Kris and the Foggy Bottom community for making this happen!

The catalytic Shops at Dakota Crossing, which will feature Costco, Target, Shoppers Food Supermarket and other smaller, in-line retailers moved another step forward today. At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown is leading the effort to make the project a reality. Today, he authored and the Council passed an amendment to the FY2011 Budget Support Act that will ensure the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development has full authority to fund and manage the project.

“Neighborhood projects like these will have an immediate impact on our communities, increasing local shopping opportunities, creating jobs and spurring economic growth,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown. “These are the strategic investments we need to make in the neighborhoods that need it the most.”

The project is estimated to create 800 permanent jobs and 500 construction jobs while generating $7 million per year in new tax revenue. The Council approved funding today to get the project off the ground. Final approval will be considered with the budget next month.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

Today, the Council of the District of Columbia passed a balanced FY2011 budget with prudent cuts and critical restorations.  The budget included provisions approved by the Committee on Economic Development, chaired by At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown.  The committee reduced agency spending within its jurisdiction by 8% or $11.3 million.  In addition, Councilmember Kwame Brown’s careful budget analysis identified an over-allocation of $6.6 million, leading to restorations to education child care, Pre-K grant funding and neighborhood services among others.  The restorations were made without increasing taxes.

“I’m proud that while I’ve been chair, the Committee on Economic Development has increased efficiency and oversight of economic development without resorting to more taxes,” said Councilmember Kwame Brown.  “We’ve done this while making investments in job growth, adult job training, and incentives for small businesses to hire District residents.  The Council is setting a standard for how we make strategic and targeted investment in our local economy.”

A key discovery was identified by Councilmember Kwame Brown that the Mayor’s allocation for the Great Streets Tax Increment Financing debt service was over-budgeted by $6.6 million.  Councilmember Kwame Brown worked closely with Chairman Vincent C. Gray and the Council Budget Office to use these pre-existing dollars to strengthen the following services:

$2 million for neighborhood business corridors and neighborhood services:

• $1 million for Shaw Main Street (W2); Historic Dupont Circle Main Street (W2); Adams Morgan Main Street (W1); North Capital Main Street (W5); H Street Main Street (W6); Barracks Row Main Street (W6); Deanwood Main Street (W7); and Congress Heights Main Street (W8);
• Over $1 million for the Commercial Revitalization Fund to fund business retention, assistance, recruitment, and green teams in commercial districts in Wards that need it the most.

Pre-K, child care and adult education:

• $2,263,000 to the Office of the State Superintendent to restore the Mayor’s cut to the Early Care and Education Child Care subsidy; $850,000 to the University of the District of Columbia subsidy to continue funding the Pre-K Higher Education Incentive Grant; $68,000 to eliminate the Mayor’s Summer School use fee proposal; $54,834 to the DC Public Charter Schools to help fund the increase to the Uniform Facilities allotment and $25,000 to eliminate the Mayor’s fees for student hearing transcripts.

Office of the Tenant Advocate: $300,000 to restore the Mayor’s cuts.
Budget Gap-Closing Plan: $1 million to help close the budget gap.

Existing funds were also used to support two economic development measures authored by Councilmember Kwame Brown and passed by the Council.  Together, the “Job Growth Incentive Act of 2010” and the “Unified Economic Development Budget Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010,” produce a climate for job creation, local business expansion and neighborhood revitalization.

For more information or to interview Councilmember Kwame Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

“DC has some of the most innovative urban economic development happening throughout the world,” said Councilmember Brown.  “The District is at the forefront of modern neighborhood revitalization efforts.  Columbia Heights residents, the project team, and Ward 1 leaders—especially Councilmember Graham—should be proud of their achievements.  We’ll continue our effort to rebuild and restore business corridors like H Street and create new opportunities in neighborhoods such as Fort Lincoln.”

DC USA is the centerpiece of the Columbia Heights development, which has “1.2 million square feet of new development, including more than 600 housing units, 650,000 square feet of large-format and community retail, and refurbished cultural and public spaces.”  Economic Development Committee Director Jennifer Budoff was the Senior Development Manager at NCRC who managed the land disposition and the public financing for the DC USA project.  She collaborated with city leaders and the project team to design a financing package that ultimately helped the project come to fruition and bring the first Target store to the District.

Columbia Heights was among 17 finalists in the competition.  According to ULI’s website, “The competition is part of the Institute’s Awards for Excellence program, established in 1979, which is based on ULI’s guiding principle that the achievement of excellence in land use practice should be recognized and rewarded.  ULI’s Awards for Excellence recognize the full development process of a project, not just its architecture or design.  The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability.”

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

The DC Job Growth Incentive Act

Today, landmark legislation to address the jobs crisis in the District unanimously passed on first reading by the Council.  At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown authored the “District Job Growth Incentive Act,” which was co-introduced by all members of the Council.  The legislation grants a business franchise tax credit to businesses that create at least 10 new jobs in the District.

“We have to change the way we think about small businesses in the District,” said Councilmember Brown.  “Too often, small businesses are overlooked even though they’re more likely to hire local residents and be a source of new jobs.  We need to give local businesses incentives to start hiring again and this will be a new tool in their toolbox for growth.”

The “District Job Growth Incentive Act” is supported by the DC Jobs Council, the Board of Trade, the DC Chamber of Commerce, Washington Interfaith Network, ABC of Metropolitan Washington, LiUNA, and Earth Aid.  The organizations joined the Council earlier this year to declare an unemployment crisis in the District and get behind the legislation.  (For more information, download the fact sheet here.)

During today’s legislative meeting, Councilmember Brown also introduced the “District Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act.” Noting that the District ranked last on the Small Business Survival Index, Councilmember Brown, joined by his colleagues, introduced a measure designed to cut red tape and create streamlined regulations for small businesses that accomplish agency oversight goals without creating unnecessary costs that hinder economic growth.  The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, which publishes the index, endorsed the legislation.

SBE Council President and CEO Karen Kerrigan stated that, “Small firms are disproportionately impacted by regulatory costs and complexity, and a high burden serves as an impediment to business formation and growth.  I applaud Councilmember Brown for his leadership in introducing legislation that will improve the District’s climate for entrepreneurship and investment.”

“This legislation will spur District agencies to work more closely with the small business community and carefully consider the economic impact of regulations before they take effect,” said Councilmember Brown.  A recent study by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) calculated that small businesses with fewer than 20 employees spend over $7,000 complying with federal regulations each year.  The new legislation was drafted following a model created by the SBA.  The District is one of only 6 states and 2 territories that does not have a small business regulatory flexibility statute.  (For morning information, download the fact sheet here.)

For a list of legislative milestones on the path to a comprehensive jobs strategy, please visit:

http://www.thewedistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Legislative-Jobs-Milestones.pdf

For more information or to interview Councilmember Brown, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us.

At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown attended the event with Chairman Vincent C. Gray and Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas.  GWHCC President Angela Franco and SBA Assistant Administrator Ana Harvey gave opening remarks and helped cut the ribbon. (See photos below!)

The Expo kicked of a series of educational events this month available to businesses.  Here are more upcoming events that could benefit your business:

Certified Business Entrerpise (CBE) Workshop

Would you like to be a supplier for the government of the District of Columbia?  This seminar will guide you through the CBE certification process.  Thursday, April 15th – 6:00 p.m.  For more information or to register, please click here.

Import and Export – Free Trade Agreements

Learn about all the requirements to import and export.  Representatives from Latin American embassies and federal agencies will present and answer questions.  Wednesday, April 21st – 6:00 p.m.  For more information and to register, please click here.

Is Health Insurance Worth It? Sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Learn about the options you have to insure your employees and your family.  Tuesday, April 27th – 12:00 p.m.  This event is sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. For more information and to register, please click here.

Check out these great photos from the Moving Forward Business Expo:

]]> http://www.thewedistrict.com/getting-down-to-business/feed/ 2 http://www.thewedistrict.com/2010-moving-forward-business-expo/ http://www.thewedistrict.com/2010-moving-forward-business-expo/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:20:18 +0000 Michael Price http://www.thewedistrict.com/?p=3044 The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Moving Forward Business Expo is the go-to event for small and medium businesses in the nation’s capital. The Expo is designed to provide assistance for business growth and access to capital. Come and exchange ideas, find partnerships, develop strategies, and explore new opportunities and markets. This is a FREE event and GWHCC invites all DC residents to participate.

Click here to download the flyer.

To RSVP please click here. For more information contact Magda Cardenas at mcardenas@gwhcc.org or call us at 202-728-0352.

Today, SBA Administrator Karen Mills, White House Council on Women and Girls Director Christina Tchen and At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown celebrated the opening of the DC Women’s Business Center with dozens of local women entrepreneurs.

The opening coincided with Women’s History Month and Councilmember Brown commemorated the occasion with Chairman Vincent C. Gray, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas and Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander by presenting the SBA with a Council resolution.

“Thirty years ago only 5 percent of small businesses were owned by women, but today women own nearly 30 percent of the small businesses in this country across virtually every industry,” said Administrator Mills.  “Through management and technical assistance, comprehensive training and counseling the DC Women’s Business Center will allow women entrepreneurs to grow their business, create jobs and establish the most innovative companies to help America keep its competitive edge in the 21st century.”

Councilmember Brown fought to have the center opened in the District in an effort to spur local business growth and expand opportunities for women.  “Women are pioneering the next economic frontier,” he said.  “They have the power to unleash an economic tidal wave if we’re willing to believe in them.  The center will give them essential tools and resources for building successful businesses.”

Last year, the Center for Women’s Business Research released a study entitled the Economic Impact of Women-Owned Businesses in the United States.  The study found that “women-owned firms have an economic impact of $3 trillion annually that translates into the creation and/or maintenance of more than 23 million jobs.”

The DC Women’s Business Center is funded in part by the US Small Business Administration and operated by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC).  Women’s Business Centers across the country provide “training, counseling and other assistance to women business owners.”

The business center will provide service in five key areas: Business assessment and referral, training, counseling, access to capital and procurement.  The Minority Business Enterprise Center of Washington, DC has partnered with the center to provide management and business-consulting assistance.  The center is located in the People’s Building in Northeast, DC.  Samira Cook is the center’s director and is charged with ushering entrepreneurs through the process of creating and maintaining a business.  More information about the center can be found by visiting www.dcwbc.org.

For more information, please contact Press Secretary Michael Price at 202-445-4510 or mprice@dccouncil.us. For questions about the DC Women’s Business Center contact Director Samira Cook at 202-671-2183 or samira@dcwbc.org.