COUNCILMEMBER BROWN TOURS STADIUM, LOOKS TO FUTURE PROJECTS
On Tuesday, as a part of his oversight responsibility as Chair of the Council Committee on Economic Development, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown toured the new Nationals Baseball Stadium. The Stadium is currently in the final stage of construction and slated for completion in April of 2008. The purpose of the tour was to review construction progress and to determine how local businesses and District residents benefit from this and future projects.
Goals, Measurability and Accountability For the first time, goals, accountability and measurability have been incorporated into a major economic development project in the District with the aim of increasing District resident and local businesses participation. “In order to ensure that local businesses and District residents directly benefit from economic development projects, high standards have to be set,” said Councilmember Brown. “We not only have to have high standards, we also need to have accountability and measurability.” There are four key goals that were set for the Stadium project, which were created to ensure District resident participation: District Resident Participation Goals (Data as of 8/31/07): Goal 1: Fifty percent of all journeyperson hours must be clocked by D.C. residents on a craft-by-craft basis. The actual project percentage stands at 28.68%. Goal 2: Fifty percent of all apprentice hours must be clocked by D.C. residents on a craft-by-craft basis. The actual project percentage stands at 78.07%. Goal 3: One hundred percent of all new apprentices hired for the project must be D.C. residents. The actual project percentage stands at 91%. Goal 4: Fifty-one percent of all new hires must be D.C. residents. The actual project percentage stands at 50%. Local Business Participation Goal (Data as of 9/20/07) Goal 1: Fifty percent of all awarded contracts must go to local, small, disadvantaged business enterprises (LSDBE). The actual project percentage stands at 53.67% for committed subcontracts. As of the latest report, $203,254,514 have been committed or awarded to LSDBEs and $95,963,514 has been paid. Looking To the Future Councilmember Brown views the Stadium project as an incubator for building an infrastructure for increased local business and District resident participation. He also believes that more needs to be done to lay the proper foundation for the future. “In order to increase District resident participation, the District government needs to invest in training programs that provide District residents with opportunities to improve their career paths,” said Councilmember Brown. Step one is to have training facilities, like Phelps Vocational Engineering Academy, for young residents to ensure they get the training they need for future jobs. Brown co-introduced the School Modernization Funds Resolution of 2007, which authorized $30 million to build the Phelps facility. Phelps is currently under construction. He also recently introduced the Vocational Education Feasibility Act of 2007, which would require the Mayor to conduct a study on the feasibility of building an adult vocational facility by 2009. Step two is to ensure high standards are maintained in future projects. Councilmember Brown is reviewing the possibility of making the current Stadium project goals a permanent part of economic development projects when District dollars are at stake. “To meet the goals we have set for local participation, we have a responsibility to provide an infrastructure that trains District residents for future projects,” said Councilmember Brown. “We should take the lessons we’ve learned from the Stadium project and turn them into future opportunities. I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made but there’s a long way to go.”
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YOUTH OUTREACH SERVICES AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM HOSTS COUNCILMEMBER BROWN
(Left: Councilmember Brown with the Youth Outreach Services team.)
On Thursday, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown visited Youth Outreach Services at Woodmont Crossing Apartment Complex in Southeast for an interview hosted by the youths themselves. The youths hosted, directed and recorded the event. They asked Councilmember Brown tough questions about education, domestic violence, summer jobs, vocational training and programs for ex-offenders. “I want to thank Liz Charity and the team at Youth Outreach Services for inviting me to the after school program,” said Brown. “Ms. Charity was right…those kids are the rising stars of tomorrow. I’m proud of what they’re doing and I encourage them to keep up their hard work. Always remember to have fun and keep your dreams alive.”
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BROWN HELPS RELEASE SPANISH TRANSLATION OF ‘DOING BUSINESS IN WASHINGTON, DC’ GUIDEBOOK
(Washington, DC Economic Partnership Press Release, October 10, 2007) Hispanic owned businesses in Washington, DC are thriving and growing. According to a 2006 US Census Bureau report, the number of Hispanic owned business in the Washington and surrounding areas jumped 67% from 1997 to 2002, reaching a total of 32,412 businesses. Recognizing the contribution Hispanic businesses make to DC's booming economy, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership published the Spanish translation of Doing Business in Washington, DC. The 96-page guidebook, available free to the public, covers the nuts and bolts of successfully starting a business or expanding one. Designed to help every type of business, the guide also includes numerous public and private resources filled with indispensable information on making the most of your business in the District. In publishing the Spanish translation of the guidebook, WDCEP hopes to continue to encourage and support entrepreneurship among the Hispanic community. Hispanics in the US are opening businesses at a rate of three times the national average and more are attracted to DC because of the city's vibrant and fast growing economy. In fact, because of the enormous Federal government contracting opportunities in the city, the area has a larger number of Hispanic owned professional services companies compared to other cities. These companies provide services in high technology, legal, accounting, engineering and translation services. "Diverse businesses of all sizes and cultures are fueling DC's economic boom, which is why it is critical for the government and its partners to create targeted programs that foster business development across all minority groups. The publication of the Spanish translation of the guidebook is an example of a program designed to assist Hispanic owned businesses in the District. Organizations, like the Washington, DC Economic Partnership and the Department of Small Local Business Development continue to deliver innovative resources and information that bring economic opportunities to all residents in the city," remarked Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. "We are committed to ensuring economic growth in every ward of the city. The Spanish translation version of Doing Business in Washington, DC removes language barriers, providing Hispanic entrepreneurs with the practical information they need to navigate the requirements of operating a business in DC," said Neil O. Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. "This book is a good example of the kinds of tools ware are providing with our partners to ensure the District is a City of Opportunity for all," added Albert. The 2007 Doing Business in Washington, DC is divided into nine chapters covering everything from writing a business plan and defining ownership structure to business insurance and government contracting. It also has a chapter devoted to starting a non-profit in DC. Non-profits are the second largest employers in the District, totaling 44,078 employees. Many existing businesses may not be aware of the financial benefits of operating a business in our city. For example, the District offers one of the most attractive incentive packages for high-tech businesses in the country. The New E-conomy Transformation Act of 2000 (NET 2000) provides certain credits, exemptions and other benefits for a Qualified High Technology Company (OHTC). As with the English version of the guide, the Spanish translation will be available at all Business Resource Centers throughout the District of Columbia in addition to the Embassies of Spanish speaking countries. The press conference launching the release of the translated guidebook was sponsored by BB &T Corporation. The Washington, DC Economic Partnership is a public/private partnership with the mission of facilitating economic development by contributing to the business retention and attraction in the District of Columbia. The Partnership is your first point of contact for doing business in Washington, DC, offering a host of resources and information.
Washington, DC Economic Partnership
_________________________________________________________________ BROWN WANTS MICRO-LOANS FOR MACRO RESULTS
Brown works with Mayor to secure $1 million for micro-loan fund On Wednesday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown participated in a Public Oversight Roundtable on “Small Business Commercial Property Tax Relief” held by Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, Chair of the Committee on Finance and Revenue. Brown, who is a member of the Committee, continued his efforts to secure resources for a micro-loan fund that would provide timely relief to local businesses. Brown has already worked with the Mayor to secure $1 million for the micro-loan fund as part of the Mayor’s recent surplus spending proposal. He is now working to secure an additional $1 million for the fund for a total of $2 million. Earlier this year, the Council set aside $11 million for commercial property tax relief. Today’s hearing was intended to give business owners, community members and government officials an opportunity to discuss how to best use the funds. “Local businesses, like those on P Street and other areas of the District are in need of help now,” said Councilmember Brown. “What I don’t want to do is to wait for businesses to leave before we take action. Too often, the City is in reaction mode. A micro-loan fund would complement a strong commercial property tax relief plan. It’s critical that businesses already located in the City take priority.” Councilmember Brown has also authored legislation to provide tax relief for businesses. On the first day the Council returned to session, Brown introduced the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Tax Relief Strategy Act of 2007 (B17-0369). He received the backing of 11 colleagues through co-introduction and sponsorship. The purpose of the tax relief act is to require the Mayor to create a tax relief strategy for all D.C. neighborhood businesses within a commercial corridor that are economically impacted by the road infrastructure construction performed by the District Department of Transportation. “We need to find unique, practical ways for local businesses to thrive,” concluded Brown. “Based on the feedback I received from business owners and the community, micro-loans and tax relief are at the top of the list of solutions. I’m going to continue fighting to make sure their needs are addressed.”
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