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e-BIC, Nonprofits, Zoning, Hurricane Isabel, Taxes, Metro, and Newsletters
1. Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) Opens The District of Columbia Public Library, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) have launched the Enhanced Business Information Center located in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. The e-BIC, located at 901 G Street, NW, offers resources and programs to support the District's small business development. The e-BIC provides the Washington metropolitan area with business planning tools, free on-site resources, staff, training courses, and workshops to help entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their businesses. It features a videoconferencing room, computer terminals, a business information resource library and reading room. The Business Information Center formerly located at the SBA Washington Metropolitan Area District Office (1110 Vermont Avenue, NW) has closed with the launch of the new e-BIC at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. More than 200 visitors per month used the original Business Information Center replaced by the e-BIC. The e-BIC services the Washington metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland; the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church; and Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. The e-BIC plans to expand hours of operation in the future. For questions, contact the e-BIC at (202) 727-2241. View the launch event press release.
2. Public-Private Partnership Conference Scheduled The Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OPGD), in partnership with the Washington Council of Agencies, will host the Fifth Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference on Tuesday, October 21, 2003, at the George Washington University. This year's theme—Partnerships: Creating Opportunities for All—will allow participants to access the information and resources needed to build sustainable, results-driven partnerships that strengthen their organizations and further their mission. Through 17 how-to and two plenary sessions, participants can learn to:
To register, visit Washington Council of Agencies. Select "Oct. 21 Public Private Partnership Conference" to download the conference brochure and register online, or call (202) 457-0540. Visit OPGD or call (202) 727-8900.
3. New Paper Zoning Maps Available The Office of Zoning has released a new large format (22" x 36") paper version of the electronic zoning map with an errata sheet of amendments/updates through September 1, 2003. The map consists of 18 map tiles, a map index page, and a Planned Unit Development (PUD) index page and is available at the Office of Zoning, 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 210 South. Purchase a full set of black and white maps for $10 or a color version for $60. The color maps are easier to read and enhance locating areas of interest. PUDs are presented in a distinct color crosshatch pattern and annotated for easy reference with the included PUD index page. The paper map will be updated annually and possibly biannually in future, depending on demand. In the interim, addenda/errata to the map will be updated monthly and can be obtained online from the Office of Zoning or by calling (202) 727-6311 to request a fax update. Downloadable zoning maps are already available online at no charge.
4. IRS Grants Tax Relief for Hurricane Isabel Victims The Internal Revenue Service today announced special tax relief for residents in the Presidential Disaster Areas that were struck by Hurricane Isabel, beginning September 18, 2003. This relief applies in the District of Columbia and parts of four states which the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared eligible for individual assistance. The relief gives affected individual and business taxpayers additional time to file and pay certain taxes, and it provides affected employers extra time to make federal tax deposits. View the announcement.
5. SBA Designates DC Businesses Eligible for Disaster Loans Homeowners, renters, and business owners in the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for an SBA Physical Disaster Loan to cover physical losses resulting from Hurricane Isabel occurring September 18, 2003 and continuing through September 29, 2003. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available to small businesses located in the District of Columbia, as well as the contiguous counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in the State of Maryland; and Arlington, Fairfax and the independent city of Alexandria in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, to be eligible for consideration under the SBA disaster program, losses sustained must be the result of Hurricane Isabel. The deadline for filing Physical Disaster Loan applications is November 19, 2003. The deadline for filing EIDLs is June 21, 2004. For more information, please call (800) 659-2955. View the announcement. Visit the SBA.
6. District and IRS Expand Fight Against Tax Avoidance The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) joined with other state tax agencies to announce a partnership with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will address the growing problem of abusive tax avoidance transactions. The agreement allows states and the IRS to exchange information regarding abusive schemes and those who promote and participate in them, as well as partner on education/outreach efforts. The IRS began its campaign against abusive tax avoidance transactions earlier this year. The partnership allows state tax officials to benefit from what the IRS has learned dealing with national and international entities regarding these schemes, and allows states to share with the IRS their experiences tackling abusive tax shelters. View the press release. Visit the OTR Business Tax Service Center for tax forms and electronic filing services. For questions, call OTR at (202) 727-4TAX.
7. Metro Launches Custom Email Service on Elevator Outages Metro now offers a free subscription service to notify customers of elevator service disruptions at the Metrorail stations they use. For details see the press release and elevator notification (ELLEN) subscription page.
8. SCORE Monthly eNewsletters Inform Small Businesses SCORE--Counselors to America's Small Business--publishes three monthly eNsweletters regarding small business trends, resources, and SCORE services. Businesses can subscribe to these free, practical newsletters online:
SCORE is a resource partner of the US Small Business Administration. A national nonprofit organization, SCORE has over 11,500 volunteer members in 389 chapters across the United States. It is dedicated to providing free help to men and women starting small businesses and to those already in business. The Washington, DC Chapter has over 46 members experienced in owning and operating both small and large businesses in almost every field. Visit the SCORE Washington, DC Chapter.
9. DC Business Tools Available
10. View the BRC Alert Archives Previous editions of the BRC Alert newsletter feature articles for small businesses and nonprofits regarding incentives, training, licenses, procurement, commuting, emergency preparedness, and other topics. View the BRC Alert Archives.
Submit Feedback to brc.alert@dc.gov
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