Ward 8 Economic Development Summit: The New Ward 8

Contact: Candace Tiana Nelson
Manager of External Affairs
202.661.8670

June 12, 2007

Washington, D.C.—Councilmember Marion Barry and the Ward 8 Business Council, in conjunction with the Washington, DC Economic Partnership, today announce the Ward 8 Economic Development Summit. The Summit is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 23, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1600 Morris Road, SE, Washington, DC, 20020.

“Ward 8 is experiencing an economic rebirth,” said Councilmember Marion Barry. “In ‘The New Ward 8’ there are tremendous opportunities for LSDBEs, developers and citizens. I am elated that the Summit will showcase how these opportunities will benefit the residents of Ward 8. Every resident of Ward 8 should attend.”

Workshops will be held at the Summit designed to engage the community in dialog with a panel of three to five industry specialists. Housing, transportation, commercial, retail and recreation plans for the Ward will be discussed. The workshop topics reflect the impact that major economic development initiatives will have on the Ward.

“We look forward to seeing a large number of residents, community leaders, business owners and developers,” said President of the Ward 8 Business Council, Robert James. “The Ward 8 Business Council is a co-presenter of the Summit with Councilmember Barry. Economic Development summits have been held in the past. I think this will be the best ever!”

The Summit will feature exhibits of most, if not all, the major development projects in Ward 8. The Washington, DC Economic Partnership, known for tracking the $51 billion development dynamic that is shaping the District of Columbia and sharing its findings through annual publications such as The DC Development Report, Neighborhood Profile Sheets, and Neighborhood Retail Opportunities, is a sponsor of the Summit. People can register for the Summit on-line through the Economic Partnership’s website, www.wdcep.com.

“The community we serve is very important to us,” said Steve Moore, President and CEO of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership. “We market the District of Columbia on behalf of its residents and businesses. We realize getting involved in the community through events like the Ward 8 Economic Development Summit can only help us market the District better, allowing us the opportunity to hear from the residents and businesses, as well as share our information with them.”

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The WDCEP is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public/private partnership dedicated to promoting business opportunities throughout DC and contributing to business retention and attraction activities. For more information visit www.wdcep.com/about.

Posted Under: Press Releases