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Arts, Terrorism, Procurement, Nonprofits, EITC, Property, BID, Academy, and Taxes
1. Main Streets Arts Initiative Announced The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), with assistance from the federal government, seeks to support arts and cultural facilities in the District of Columbia’s 12 designated Main Street neighborhoods. Organizations are invited to apply for one-time capital funding support in the form of matching grants to help defray costs related to the improvement, expansion and rehabilitation of existing buildings owned or leased by nonprofit cultural institutions. The types of facilities involved may include, but are not limited to museums, galleries, theaters, offices, arts storage or conservation, film exhibition, studios and historic buildings. Examples of funded projects may include roof replacement, HVAC, handicapped accessible bathrooms, theatrical lighting and sound, dance floors, fire safety systems, façade restoration, elevator installation, electrical and advanced networks wiring. This funding is intended to ensure that facilities are safe, comfortable and efficient, so that arts groups may expand audiences and enhance their art form. Funding for this program is part of a special initiative designed to bolster efforts in areas identified by the DC Office of Planning. Organizations not in designated Main Street areas are not precluded from applying, however, priority consideration is given to those that are in designated Main Street areas. The deadline for applications is Thursday, March 3, 2005, at 7 pm. Read the entire announcement to download an application or view last year's recipients. Visit DCCAH or reSTORE DC, of which DC Main Streets is a component.
2. District Announces New Terrorism Prevention Program The Metropolitan Police Department is enlisting the help of DC’s business community in detecting and preventing possible terrorist acts before they occur, through a new program called Operation TIPP – Terrorist Incident Prevention Program. Under the initiative, the MPDC is reaching out to area businesses with information on how to detect suspicious activity that may be related to terrorism within their particular industry or service area. In addition, the MPDC has created a toll-free Operation TIPP line – 1-877-YOU-WATCH – for businesses and their employees to report suspicious activity to the police. The MPDC has identified more than four dozen industries and services that terrorists could potentially target. For each industry or service group, the MPDC is preparing customized information packets outlining suspicious activities or requests that may be of concern to law enforcement. This information will be distributed via mailings, visits by police officers and outreach through business and industry groups. Calls to the Operation TIPP hotline are answered by trained police professionals from the MPDC. All calls to the hotline are confidential, and callers need not provide their names or contact information. However, the MPD does encourage callers to provide this information, to support any follow-up investigation that may be necessary. The costs of Operation TIPP materials are being paid for with federal grant funds awarded by the Department of Homeland Security. View the entire announcement and read more about TIPP or contact the MPDC’s Special Operations Division at (202) 671-6505 Visit MPD.
3. OCP to Participate in Area Procurement Conferences Herbert R. Tillery, Deputy Mayor for Operations and Interim Chief Procurement Officer, announced that OCP will participate in several area procurement conferences to explain the DC Government procurement process and outline bidding opportunities. Contracting officers will represent OCP at the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Expo that will attract 200 minority contractors from across the metro area. Visit NAMC. The 15th Federal Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Procurement Conference will be held on April 21 at the Show Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. Along with OCP, dozens of federal and municipal government agencies and prime contractors will be present to discuss business opportunities. Visit OSDBU to register. Co-sponsored by the US Small Business Administration and the National Business League, the ProBiz2005 Small and Minority Business Procurement Conference will be held on May 9, 2005. Dozens of regional government procurement offices and prime contractors will be represented. OCP will provide comments about the DC government procurement process and describe business opportunities. Visit ProBiz to register. Visit OCP.
4. Office of Partnerships and Grants Development Issues Call for Nonprofit Coaches The Mayor's Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OPGD) is recruiting leaders from the nonprofit, business, foundation and government sectors to volunteer as coaches for nonprofit leaders participating in its 2005 Strengthening Partners Initiative (SPI) class. SPI is a year-long capacity-building program that helps emerging nonprofit and faith-based organizations strengthen their organization through capacity building and leadership training. Participants in the program are selected through a competitive application process. Executive directors from organizations located and providing direct services in the District of Columbia are eligible to apply. Coaches are an important part of the SPI program. Each participating nonprofit executive is matched with a coach, who provides mentoring and strategic assistance in areas of interest such as management, fundraising, board development, and policy development. This is a great opportunity for interested individuals to share their expertise. With your help, SPI participants will improve the capabilities of our community's smaller nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact Pat Henry at (202) 727-8900 or by email. Visit OPGD.
5. Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign Launches Annual Outreach The DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) wants businesses to help promote the DC Earned Income Tax Credit to their employees based in the District. Retailers can help by promoting the credit to customers. EITC outreach materials are designed to inform workers about the EITC and other tax benefits for which they are eligible. The materials also let workers know where they can go to get free help in preparing their tax returns. Download outreach materials in six different languages and learn more about the EITC. For more information, contact Ann Pierre at (202) 408-1080 or by email. Visit DCFPI.
6. DC Marketing Center Shows Property Availability The Washington, DC Marketing Center maintains an online Retail Space Search so that businesses can easily find and compare potential business locations in the District. Searches can be defined according to size of property, location, Metrorail accessibility, and keywords. The search can even locate properties within DC Main Streets neighborhoods. For further assistance please contact Keith Sellars at (202) 661-8684 or by email. Or, contact Chad Shuskey at (202) 661-8674 or by email. Visit the Washington, DC Marketing Center.
7. Golden Triangle BID Promotes New Website Features The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) has launched the new BID website. The 2005 website includes a complete online guide to the Golden Triangle's restaurants, shopping, hotels, services and parking. Each month a BID restaurant or retailer is featured on the home page as well as the latest BID news and upcoming events. Visit the Golden Triangle BID.
8. Board of Trade Seeks Applicants for Small Business Academy The Greater Washington Board of Trade (BOT) is promoting its upcoming Small Business Academy. The Academy is a ten-month program that provides classroom training and group exchange to small business owners who have been in operation for one to five years. Board of Trade member firms with expertise in business operations act as faculty. Board of Trade membership is not required for Academy participation but is encouraged. Read more information or apply online. The application deadline is March 11, 2005. Visit Greater Washington BOT.
9. IRS Small Business Classroom Prepares Businesses for Tax Filing The US Internal Revenue Service has posted some new courses, information, and calendars in its Online Classroom for small businesses and self-employed individuals. Online resources include a Small Business Workshop, Tax Workshop, 2005 Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed, and Small Business Resource Guide. Many of these courses are available in Spanish. Visit the IRS.
10. DC Business Tools Available
 
11. View the BRC Bulletin Archives Previous editions of the BRC Bulletin newsletter feature articles for small businesses and nonprofits regarding incentives, training, licenses, procurement, commuting, emergency preparedness, and other topics. View the BRC Bulletin Archives.
Submit Feedback to brc@dc.gov
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