• DC Squared

  • SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM

  • APPLICATION OVERVIEW

    For RHODE ISLAND AVE + BLADENSBURG ROAD MAIN STREETS

    Application Package Contents

    • Program Guidelines, which should be used to complete the application
    • Application for Services, which must be completed in its entirety and submitted for receipt at Rhode Island Ave NE/Bladensburg Road Main Streets (DC Squared Main Streets)
    • Application Checklist, which should be used to confirm achievement of all application requirements

    Please note that DC Squared will evaluate applications and decide on eligibility based solely on the documents provided by the applicants and upon funds availability. If you feel you are unable to complete the application for any reason, please contact us at info@dcsquared.org

    Guidance to Prepare Application

    Applicants may contact the DC Squared office at info@dcsquared.org to ask questions and receive guidance on preparing the application.

    To ensure timely application completion, DC Squared recommends that Applicants immediately take steps to:

    • Secure valid copies of the applicant’s Basic Business License, Certificates of Occupancy, Good Standing, and Clean Hands (see Section 1 of the Application for Services);
    • Descriptions of current conditions and requested services, with estimates of cost;
    • (If Applicant owns the commercial property).
      Retrieve the property deed or secure a copy from the DC Recorder of Deeds at 202-727-5374;
    • (If Applicant leases the commercial space)
      Discuss their application and any physical improvements to the property owner(s) and obtain their approval to proceed.

    Eligibility

    Businesses located in Ward 5 with brick-and-mortar locations, except for nonprofit organizations without a retail location, franchises, and churches, are eligible for this grant. Business with addresses on Rhode Island Avenue NE and Bladensburg Road will have priority as they are serviced by the DC Main Street program through DSLBD. Online businesses without a brick-and-mortar location can apply but will be judged on a case-by-case basis.


    If you are unsure about your eligibility for this grant, please contact info@dcsquared.org

  • 1. Applicant Information (Business Owner)

    This information pertains to the business owner who is applying for the Small Business Assistance program. If there are multiple business owners, all owners must sign the Application. Applicants who are leasing properties must obtain written approval from the property owner(s) for any physical improvements or alterations to commercial property(see Section 7).

  • BUSINESS

  • BUSINESS DOCUMENTS

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  • BUSINESS OWNER

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  • 2. Commercial Property Information*

    Does the Applicant (business owner), lease or own the commercial property for which s/he is requesting storefront improvement services? *Only complete this section if requesting projects that require physical changes or alterations to commercial properties, such as storefront improvement projects.

  • LEASE the COMMERCIAL SPACE?

    If yes, provide answers in this page or else skip this page
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  • 2. Commercial Property Information (continued)*

    Does the Applicant (business owner), lease or own the commercial property for which s/he is requesting storefront improvement services? *Only complete this section if requesting projects that require physical changes or alterations to commercial properties, such as storefront improvement projects.

  • OWN the PROPERTY?

    If yes, provide answers in this page
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  • 3. Storefront Improvements:(Eligible, Ineligible, Vendor-required, and Additional Improvements)

  • Eligible Storefront Improvements

    The storefront improvement program comprises design fixes to the front of the building’s exterior (façade). Businesses can apply for more than one service. Businesses can apply for more than one service. If you are interested in a façade improvement program, please contact the DC Squared steam at info@dcsquared.org. Applicants may apply for the following eligible storefront improvement services.

  • ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

    1. Installation, repair, or replacement of entrance ramps
    2. Improvements to doorways and service areas
    3. Installation of signage with braille and/or large print
    4. Other related improvements to comply with ADA requirements

    SECURITY

    1. Removal of exterior fixed or rolling security bars or grates (solid or open weave).
    2. Installation of security grates in the interior of the commercial space, if the new grate is as transparent as or more transparent than the existing exterior security grate.
    3. Installation of security window film
    4. Installation of latch guard on door lock
    5. Installation of security cameras and/or security system.

    BUSINESS SIGN:

    1. Installation, repair, replacement, and/or removal of business signs.
    2. Sign text must include the business name; additional text must be approved by DC Squared.

    AWNING:

    1. Repair of existing canvas awnings.
    2. Installation of a canvas awning if there is a demonstrated environmental or aesthetic need that makes an awning a better choice than a business sign. If there is no business sign, the awning must have the name of the business and street number imprinted on the canvas.
    3. Text on the awnings must include the name of the business and may include the property’s numerical address All text must be approved by DC Squared.
    4. Repair or installation of vinyl awnings is not permitted.

    LIGHTING:

    1. Installation of exterior lighting for business sign.
    2. Installation of exterior lighting that is integral to the façade of commercial buildings.

    PAINT TOUCH-UPS:

    1. Painting touch-ups of exterior walls, trim, doors, and railings attached to storefronts

    POWER WASH / REPOINTING OF BRICK:

    1. Power washing and/or repointing of the front exterior wall brickwork of the storefront

    STOREFRONT WINDOW GLASS:

    1. Replacement of plexiglass storefront windows with glass windows.
    2. Replacement of single-pane storefront window glass with laminated security glass if such a service would enable the Applicant to permanently remove exterior or interior security grates/bars.
    3. In most cases we will not approve window replacement following damage, window security film and latch guards can be included in the scope of work

  • Ineligible Storefront Improvements

    Any improvements to the storefronts that are not included in the “eligible storefront improvements” section above, including the following, are ineligible:

    1. not specified in the work order, which is a part of an approved application;
    2. not specified in the Memorandum of Understanding between DC Squared and the Applicant; and,
    3. started or completed prior to the issuance of a Notice to Proceed by DC Squared.

  • Pre-requisite Storefront Improvements Required by Vendors/Contractor

    When Vendors/Contractor inspect the existing storefront condition to develop a work order for eligible storefront improvement services, the Vendor/Contractor may determine that other improvements must be addressed prior to beginning work on eligible SIP services. If these prerequisite improvements are not on the list of eligible services, the Applicant:

    1. must indicate in Section 5: Small Business Service Request – within the “Current Condition Description portion” – of this application the prerequisite request improvements that are required by the Vendor/contractor for each SIP service; and
    2. would be responsible for addressing the pre-requisite improvement prior to implementation of the SIP services.

  • 4. Small Business Technical Assistance: Eligible, Ineligible, Vendor-required, and Additional Improvements

  • Eligible Technical Assistance

    The small business technical assistance program covers programmatic and soft costs that help enhance a business. Below is a list of services that the technical assistance program can cover. Businesses can apply for more than one service. Applicants may apply for the following eligible technical assistance services:

  • ACCESSIBILITY:

    1. Interior signage including braille, large font, or other languages
    2. ASL services, including signage and interpreters
    3. Digital accessibility support
    4. Projects related to complying with ADA standards and language access

    MARKETING:

    1. Development and/or implementation of a marketing plan
    2. Implementation of marketing strategies- advertising, promotions, events, etc.

    DIGITAL MARKETING:

    1. Creation or expansion of a website
    2. Creation or expansion of an online sales platform
    3. Online advertising
    4. Improvement of Google presence
    5. Development and/or implementation of a social media strategy

    BRANDING AND DESIGN:

    1. Development of a branding package, including logos, graphics, and font design

    ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING:

    1. Creation or organization of an accounting or bookkeeping system

    OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT:

    1. Creation and/or development of a business plan
    2. General business support
    3. Grant application assistance

    LICENSING AND COMPLIANCE:

    1. Assistance and guidance for licenses and compliance

  • Ineligible Technical Assistance Projects

    Technical assistance projects that are ineligible include any work that is:

    1. not specified in the work order, which is a part of an approved application;
    2. not specified in the Memorandum of Understanding between DC Squared and the Applicant; and,
    3. started or completed before the issuance of a Notice to Proceed by DC Squared

    Additional Services

    Applicants may have other projects not listed above that still qualify under the small business technical assistance program. Please discuss with DC Squared staff to see if your project is eligible, and what additional support materials you would need. For further information, you can send an email to: info@dcsquared.org

  • 5. Small Business Service Request

    This information pertains to the eligible assistance projects for which the Applicant is requesting DC Squared services (listed in Sections 3 and 4, pages 5-7 of this application).
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  • TOTAL COST: What is the estimated total cost to complete the requested service? If unknown, please put N/A. $    

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  • 6. Agreement by Business Owner(s)

  • As a business owner(s) of            , I/we have:

    1. reviewed the DC Squared Small Business Assistance Program Guidelines document that was provided with this application;
    2. used the Application Checklist to ensure that this application is complete on submission;
    3. understand that the determination of requested services provided is at the discretion of DC Squared
    4. understand that I will have to pay the fees to obtain copies of the required certificates necessary for the application;
    5. agreed to maintain sufficient insurance coverage for property damage and personal liability relating to the assistance project;
    6. agreed to work with the approved Vendor/Contractor to implement the requested services should DC Squared approve my service request(s); and,
    7. agreed to obtain written approval from DC Squared before removing or changing any storefront improvement for five years after completion (approximately January 2029);
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  • 7. Approval and Agreement by Property Owner(s)

    Only needed if requesting storefront improvement or physical alterations to the building.
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  • APPLICATION SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

    Applicants should use this checklist to confirm achievement of all application requirements so that a complete application is submitted. DC Squared will evaluate the application and make a determination on eligibility based solely on the documents provided by the submission deadline.
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