Category: News / Blog

Rent Relief Strategies for Small Businesses

ANC 2B’s COVID Emergency Task Force and Dupont Circle Main Streets are cosponsoring a discussion with American University Washington College of Law’s Community Economic and Equity Development Clinic. Topics will include how small businesses can negotiate rent relief from landlords during the pandemic, legal issues, options, and practical suggestions.

This discussion will take place on February 26, 2021 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm on Zoom.

Please use this link to attend: https://auwcl.zoom.us/j/96144632595

Final ANC 2B February 2021 Agenda Posted (Virtual Meeting)

The final agenda for the ANC’s February meeting has been posted and can be viewed at the following link:

Final February 2021 Agenda

The draft motions for the meeting, in the order of an agenda item’s appearance on the agenda, can be found here.

The meeting will be on Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm. In accordance with the “COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020” and current DC Health limitations on mass gatherings, this meeting will be held online via Zoom and can be accessed at the following link: .

If you do not have a computer or access to the internet, you may join the meeting via phone at (301) 715-8592 or (646) 558-8656 with meeting ID 849 5880 7768 #.

We will continue to have public comment during the meeting and on each motion and agenda item. There is no fee or account needed to use Zoom.

ANC 2B February 2021 Agenda Posted (Virtual Meeting)

The agenda for the ANC’s February meeting has been posted and can be viewed at the following link:

February 2021 Agenda

The meeting will be on Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 pm. In accordance with the “COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020” and current DC Health limitations on mass gatherings, this meeting will be held online via Zoom and can be accessed at the following link: .

If you do not have a computer or access to the internet, you may join the meeting via phone at (301) 715-8592 or (646) 558-8656 with meeting ID 849 5880 7768 #.

We will continue to have public comment during the meeting and on each motion and agenda item. There is no fee or account needed to use Zoom.

ANC 2B Will Not Hold February ZPD Committee Meeting

There are no zoning or historic preservation cases currently before the ANC’s Zoning, Preservation, and Development (ZPD) Committee. Therefore, the ZPD Committee will not meet in February. The ANC’s regular February meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 10th with an agenda and login information forthcoming.

Additionally, please remember to submit your application(s) to serve on an ANC 2B committee by Thursday, February 4th. More information can be found here.

ANC 2B and Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets to Co-Sponsor Navigating Coronavirus Relief: A Conversation with Nick Rajpara, SBA

Co-Sponsors: Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2B’s Coronavirus Task Force: Mike Silverstein, ANC 2B06; Meg Roggensack, ANC 2B01; Kyle Mulhall, ANC 2B09

Friday, January 29th – 3:00 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88903091933?pwd=cFRGc0NpcXdzRnBzSlA2RUtLNzFDdz09
Meeting ID: 889 0309 1933
Passcode: 529854
One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,88903091933#,,,,*529854# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,88903091933#,,,,*529854# US (New York)

Dial by your location:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

Nick Rajpara, Economic Development Specialist at the Small Business Administration, will discuss the Paycheck Protection Program and related programs to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, and recent changes to enhance these programs and facilitate access.

On January 8th, the Small Business Administration (SBA) re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PP), starting January 11th, for first time borrowers and January 13th for “second draw loans.” Smaller community banks are currently accepting loan applications. SBA will soon announce a date when all banks can begin issuing loans. The deadline to apply for a loan is March 31st. The SBA has also announced changes to its program to improve small business ability to apply and access this important support:

PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs:

  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
  • The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
  • Certain PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Here is some additional information on the range of SBA programs supporting small businesses in the pandemic: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.

Additional information on the PPP program and recent changes is here:

SPEAKER BACKGROUND: Nick Rajpara, a Dupont Circle resident, is an Economic Development Specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Washington D.C. Area Metro Office. In this role, he collaborates with local SBA Resource Partners, (public and private) economic development organizations, and other stakeholders to develop, bolster and support informational initiatives which aid and assist small business and entrepreneurs across the capital region.

This program is the first in a series aimed at supporting Dupont Circle’s small businesses.

For more information, email: 2B01@anc.dc.gov.

Additionally, please remember to submit your application(s) to serve on an ANC 2B committee by Thursday, February 4th. More information can be found here.