COVID Member Resources

Reopening your business during a public health emergency can be very overwhelming. Visit our page below for Phased guidance, public health signage and messaging, and what you need to know as a business before moving forward.

The Georgetown BID obtained DDOT Streatery permits to accommodate the following activities in the curb lanes along M Street, Wisconsin Avenue and some side streets:

• Social distancing for pedestrians
• Outdoor dining
• Retail
• Services

The Streatery permit will likely run as long as COVID-19 remains a public health threat and beyond. The BID plans to elevate the curb space onto a deck so it is flush with sidewalk providing additional user comfort and safety. Phased implementation of the deck should begin in 2020. This project reimagines how public space is used to enhance the visitor experience and support business.

The Georgetown BID has contracted with digital marketing consultants and firms to assist BID member small businesses that need help reaching their customers digitally during the COVID-19 crisis through a strong online presence and e-commerce platform. This program is intended primarily for small businesses who could greatly benefit from an improved online presence and who have the time and willingness to put in the work required to ensure a successful end result. Click here for full program details, and to apply.

The Georgetown BID has contracted with CPA firms and lawyers to advise BID member businesses that are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and need technical assistance to understand and apply for government assistance, or other legal or financial advice to get through the crisis. This program is intended primarily to help those BID member businesses that do not know where to turn for assistance and may not have the resources to get the help they need. Click here for full program details, and to apply.

Employees in the Georgetown BID commercial district who have lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus crisis, and need money to pay for rent, food, medical bills, or other emergency costs because they have few other options, could apply for up to $500 in financial assistance from the Georgetown Business Improvement District’s Employee Emergency Relief Grant program.

The Georgetown BID has granted $150,000 to hundreds of initial applicants, but hundreds’ more have applied. A second round of applications will likely open after we reevaluate the future of this program.

The Mayor’s office purchased a large quantity of masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies to help businesses reopening under Phase One. She asked the city’s BIDs and Main Street organizations to help distribute these supplies, which provide a one-time, limited supply of provisions to help establishments get up and running again quickly. They are not intended to meet longer-term needs. Businesses should be placing additional supply orders now to maintain safe operations in the future.

We distributed these supplies from a drive-up pick-up location in early June. We still have additional PPE packages remaining. Email jwiebenson@georgetowndc.com if you are reopening under Phase Two and would like a package – or reopened under Phase One and did not pick one up.

coronavirus.dc.gov – Visit this website often for all things COVID in DC – from testing information, to recovery resources and grant opportunities, health guidance, Phase Two guidelines, news, and more.

cdc.gov/coronavirus – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an enormous amount of information on COVID at the national level.

sba.gov/coronavirus – The U.S. Small Business Administration has created a homepage for small business guidance and loan resources during COVID-19. Funding options, recovery information, loan assistance, and SBA products and resources are all covered here. (*Please note that the Paycheck Protection Program closed August 8, 2020)

ramw.org/blog – The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)’s blog provides excellent and in-depth updates for those in the food industry.