Rhode Island Avenue NE missing from Mayor’s list of grant areas
On Monday, Mayor Vincent Gray announced $400,000 in Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvements Grants to four commercial corridors in the District. These grants are available to support and foster growth in small businesses within the targeted areas. FoRIA is pleased to see that the Mayor is extending these additional resources for commercial corridor revitalization. FoRIA has advocated and will continue to advocate for this type of support from the District for existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses along Rhode Island Avenue NE.
In laying out his 5 year economic plan, Mayor Gray prioritized the idea of curtailing “retail leakage” from the District to neighboring jurisdictions. Given the recently announced mixed-use development coming to Mt. Rainier just one block away from Woodridge, and the continuing development in Hyattsville, the need for support of the RIA NE commercial corridor is even more urgent. We call upon Mayor Gray to expand the Great Streets Small Business Capital Improvements Grants program to include Rhode Island Avenue NE in Ward 5. As always, FoRIA will continue to work with our ally, Council Member McDuffie, to make support for this corridor a priority for any new small business grants in targeted areas.
