FoRIA Wins Rhode Island Avenue Main Street Bid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 18, 2013—The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) has selected Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE (FoRIA) to manage the new Rhode Island Avenue Main Street program, effective immediately. Mayor Vincent Gray and Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie made the announcement today at 10 a.m., as part of Mayor Gray’s regular bi-weekly press conference. Rhode Island Avenue Main Street will be the newest of eight independent, non-profit Main Street programs in the District. The boundaries will run from 4th Street NE to 24th Street NE along Rhode Island Avenue NE, which is also a section of the historic Route 1 corridor, and one of DC’s designated Great Streets. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity,” said James Holloway, Chair of the FoRIA Board of Directors. “For a long time, the communities that surround Rhode Island Avenue NE have asked for more restaurant and retail options within walking distance of their homes. FoRIA’s goal has always been to work with the community to build the type of vibrant commercial corridor that will not only serve this amazing and diverse community, but will also be an opportunity zone where locally-owned businesses can thrive.” The DC Main Street program has been in existence since 2002, and provides resources for local organizations to leverage private investment through public and private partnerships while revitalizing existing commercial corridors and historic landmarks. The program serves small businesses, which are a driving force for the local economy. In the last year alone, DC Main Streets programs have created more than 470 new jobs in the District. DC’s program was created through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and utilizes the National Trust’s Main Street Four-Point Approach® for commercial...
Read MoreFoRIA Community Meeting Oct. 29 – Be part of future branding efforts!
Friends of Rhode Island Avenue NE (FoRIA) invites you to a COMMUNITY MEETING Tuesday, October 29th, 7-9pm at Art Enables, 2204 Rhode Island Ave NE FoRIA is preparing for a future branding effort for Rhode Island Avenue NE, but not without your help! We want to hear your ideas on future marketing efforts. We want to know: – What do you want a branding campaign to achieve? – What do you love about Rhode Island Avenue NE? – What was RIA NE like in its heyday? Neighbors, business owners, employees – EVERYONE – welcome! No RSVP needed Refreshments provided...
Read MoreFall Fest 2013 – Call for Vendors & Performers!
The Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FoRIA) invites food vendors, local artisans, musicians, performers, and area businesses to showcase your services at the 2nd Annual Rhode Island Avenue Fall Fest Saturday, October 5 Visit our Fall Fest page to sign up to request more information and reserve your spot on The Avenue! Deadline to register is September 6, 2013 – don’t wait another...
Read MoreRhode Island Avenue Fall Fest – Coming Saturday Oct 5
Save the date for our second annual, Rhode Island Avenue Fall Fest on Saturday, October 5. Click over to our Fall Fest page on this website to get fill details or sign up below if you’d like to volunteer or have a table! Click here to volunteer Click here to Sponsor or have a...
Read MoreRhode Island Avenue Photo Contest!
We need photos of Rhode Island Avenue – and lots of them. So we’re having a contest!! Take pictures of anything on Rhode Island Avenue that grabs your attention, and send them to us. There’s even a chance to win a prize!* Here’s how it works: Snap photos of places and things on Rhode Island Avenue NE between 4th Street and Eastern Avenue – the good, the bad, the interesting! Photos must be in focus, and must be relevant to Rhode Island Avenue NE – no pictures of your thumb covering up the camera lens! Save each photo with the file name “RHODE-ISLAND-sample-address-number-image-topic”. For example, “RHODE-ISLAND-1515-vacant-building” Email your photos to us no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 16, 2013. Each photo counts as one contest entry. Contest winner will be chosen at random from all entries. The more photos you submit, the more chances you have to win! So that’s it! Get out that camera and get busy snapping photos! Here’s a few examples for inspiration: * I just made up this contest, so we’re still working on what exactly the prize will be… but it will be...
Read MoreFriends of Rhode Island Avenue Kicks off Business Bites Program
On Tuesday, May 21st from 7:30am – 9:00am, Friends of Rhode Island Avenue (FoRIA) hosted its first monthly Business Bites networking event at FlipIt2 Bakery (1544 Rhode Island Avenue, NE). The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) sponsored the event. More than 20 people came out for breakfast and a discussion about how to improve the business environment on Rhode Island Avenue, NE. Council Member Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) also joined the group, and shared his vision and work on behalf of Rhode Island Avenue with the DC City Council in the FY14 budget. ANC representatives Karla Butler (5C02) and Nolan Treadway (5C07) also attended. “Veteran and new businesses on Rhode Island Avenue have let us know that they want a sense of community and collaboration. Bringing people together to help make that happen is central to the mission of FoRIA,” Executive Director Kyle Todd said. “We look forward to working with all the businesses on the Avenue, and helping them thrive in any way we can.” The event was created in response to the results of a business needs survey conducted by FoRIA’s Business & Economic Development Committee in March 2013. On the survey, a number of businesses said they wanted to get to know the other business owners on the Avenue. This inaugural event was a trial run with the interested businesses. The next Business Bites will be held on June 25th from 7:30am – 9:00am at FlipIt2 and the 4th Tuesday of every month thereafter. The event is free to attend, and open to all Rhode Island Avenue, NE entrepreneurs, business owners, and commercial property owners. If you would like to sponsor a Breakfast Bites event, please contact Kyle Todd for details and to make...
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