Going Green: Brown Emphasizes the Importance of Enforcement
In celebration of Earth Day, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) hosted Green DC Day on Freedom Plaza in Northwest Washington, DC. Green DC Day is designed to promote green living and a healthy environment.
Councilmember Brown shared with attendees the importance of attending informational events such as these to implement energy saving tips that the next generation will make part of their everyday lives. “Today is about connecting the 3 E’s: Education, Environment and the Economy,” said Brown. “Each activity is designed to not only raise awareness but also educate our children about how to care for the environment in a way that will ultimately strengthen our local economy. As we adhere to the standards in our homes and future development projects throughout the city, not only are we saving energy by maximizing our natural resources, we are creating an avenue for new employment and career development opportunities for our residents.” The postponement of Green DC Day activities sponsored by the “Green Builders Council of DC, originally scheduled for Monday, April 21 on Freedom Plaza, benefited two Senior Citizen lunch programs. Recognizing that inclement weather forced the cancellation and Balducci Restaurant lunches prepared for the occasion, Councilmember Brown worked with the Green Builders Council of DC (a district non-profit organization sponsoring the event) to arrange for 100 lunches to be delivered to Colony House Senior Citizen building and the Kennedy Street Senior Citizen Program. While seizing upon the opportunity to be of service, Councilmember Brown stated “What started out as a damper for the event, turned out to add sunshine to our seniors”. Green DC Day is part of a full week of Earth Day events taking place across the city. Nearly 100 District agencies, organizations and businesses participated to educate residents about the importance of preserving our environment and using energy wisely. Exhibitors included Home Depot, DC Greenworks, DC Department of Public Works, the Environmental Protection Agency, US Green Building Council, Rainforest Bus, Segway and Zipcar.
BROWN WELCOMES HARRIS TEETER TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
On Wednesday, April 23, District officials welcomed the first Harris Teeter grocery store to open in the District of Columbia. Brown commends the opening of the first of three Harris Teeter stores and counts the new retail option as another “win” for District residents.
“We are definitely witnessing a season of completion in the District of Columbia! While we open the grocery store’s doors today to signify yet another neighborhood retail project as complete, seeing our families shop, work and dine in our new establishment is most rewarding. As we continue to bring more retail options to our neighborhoods, it is imperative that we continue to ensure that our residents are the primary benefactors to the new opportunities in front of us. I look forward to the opening of the Capitol Hill and NoMA locations.”
The Department of Small Local Business Development (DSLBD) announces the release of the Notice of Funding Availability for the BID Litter Cleanup Assistance Program The Business Improvement District (BID) Litter Cleanup Assistance Program is defined in the Business Improvement District (BID) Litter Cleanup Assistance Fund Establishment Act of 2007 authorized under the Budget Support Act Resolution, Subtitle J, Section 6091, and funded through the Department of Public Works (DPW) fiscal year 2008 budget. DSLBD will administer the grant funds. Eligible applicants for the 2008 grant are: (a) A “BID corporation,” as that term is defined in section 3(4) of the Business Improvement Districts Act of 1996, effective May 29, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-134; D.C. Official Code ¤ 2-1215.02(4), that has an annual budget of less than $1 million; or (b) A Main Street organization duly incorporated with a current letter of agreement with the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Applications are due May 30, 2008. DSLBD Releases NOFA for New DC Main Streets Programs in Wards 4, 7 and 8 The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting applications from qualified non-profit corporations to operate a DC Main Streets (DCMS) program in eligible commercial corridors in Wards 4, 7, and 8 within the boundaries established by the Neighborhood Investment Fund (NIF). During the Committee on Economic Development's review of the 2008 fiscal year budget, Councilmember Brown allocated funds to establish the three additional Main Streets. The designated DC Main Streets programs (organization) will receive grant funding and technical assistance to support commercial revitalization initiatives. Each Main Streets organization will develop programs and services to: (1) assist business districts with the retention, expansion, and attraction of neighborhood-serving retail stores; and (2) help unify and strengthen the commercial corridor. To review the NOFA, application requirements and deadlines, and the schedule of workshops, visit the DC Main Streets 2008 Grant page. To learn more about DSLBD’s DC Main Streets program, visit www.restore.dc.gov.
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