PRESS RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C., April 8, 2020 – Connected DMV and its governing members are launching a blue ribbon COVID-19 Economic Recovery & Renewal Task Force comprised of key leaders from across the region. Led by the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Task Force will define specific actions to integrate and accelerate economic recovery efforts and restore our region to health. This work will be done in tight coordination with state and local authorities. In response to the unprecedented business disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Task Force will develop a regional strategy and set of recommendations that define a transformed future for the DMV with greater economic diversity, growth, inclusivity, resilience, and well-being for all who live and work here. The Task Force will be particularly sensitive to immediate health and economic recovery efforts while preparing for long-term renewal. The resulting outcomes will set the foundation for a more robust and durable marketplace for innovators, small and large businesses, and other organizations to thrive in our nation’s capital. The Task Force will comprise approximately 35 senior leaders selected by the Connected DMV governing members to represent the public sector, private sector, academia, federal government, and civic associations. Over the next 6 months, the Task Force will deliver specific recommendations to leaders in the public sector, private sector, and academia for their consideration, approval, and implementation. The Connected DMV governing members include the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Additionally, the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region has significant regional responsibilities and collaborates closely with Connected DMV. Following is a statement from Jack McDougle, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade:
“We must continue to support everyone on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 virus while addressing immediate economic hardships. We must also begin to build a foundation for accelerating our long-term economic recovery and get back to business. We can’t wait, this is a critical opportunity and our businesses, workers, and region depend on it. The Connected DMV public-private-academia collaboration provides the perfect platform to undertake this crucial effort. Working together we will move faster with improved results.”
Following is a statement from Chuck Bean, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments:
“Our DMV jurisdictions are providing the essential services to help us get through this pandemic. In doing so, a variety of additional needs and opportunities such as regional procurement and integrated resilience planning are emerging as areas where the DMV could benefit from stronger teaming between our jurisdictions and our business community. The timing is appropriate for our region to come together to help shape a collective strategy that repositions our local economy, maximize limited government funding, and enable enhanced services through public-private-academia collaboration. Connected DMV is designed to help us achieve this goal.”
Following is a statement from Dr. John Cavanaugh, President and CEO of Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area:
“This region is home to 17 colleges and universities that provide much of the knowledge capital and workforce that sustains our region. With the COVID-19 disruption we are even more motivated to work closely across government and industry to ensure that what we study, research, and teach, helps to produce a more innovative and resilient society. We are pleased to be working with Connected DMV and its partner organizations to reshape our region to be even stronger.”
Following is a statement from Paul J. Wiedefeld, General Manager and CEO of WMATA:
“At the same time that Metro is providing vital service during this emergency, we are also looking to the future to prepare for continuing the critical role we play in moving the region,” said WMATA GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “As a governing member of Connected DMV, we look forward to getting our service back to full strength when it is safe in support of our communities and the regional economy. The success of the region’s recovery will soon be seen in the resumption of Metro’s ridership growth trend that we experienced before COVID.”
Following is a statement from Stu Solomon, President and CEO of Connected DMV:
“Now is the time to look ahead and set a course of action for creating a more healthy, robust, and resilient region for when we begin to emerge from the most acute conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Connected DMV and the Task Force will focus on the long-term recovery and restoration of Greater Washington through the COVID-19 crisis. We now have the opportunity to come together across government, industry, and academia to shape a future environment for the well-being of all who live and work in our communities.”
About Connected DMV
Connected DMV is a non-profit regional collaboration across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia--the DMV. Its participants include local jurisdictions, federal agencies, industry, community, and academia who work together to advance the region's top opportunities, generate economic development, and shape a stronger future for the well-being of our region. The governing members of Connected DMV include the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Additionally, the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region has significant regional responsibilities and collaborates closely with Connected DMV. https://www.connecteddmv.org/
About the Greater Washington Board of Trade
The Greater Washington Board of Trade is a nonpartisan business organization and has represented all industry sectors in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia since 1889. The Board of Trade works collaboratively to advance policies, practices, and actions that benefit its members and improve the business environment and quality of life across the region. Learn more at www.bot.org.
About the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is an independent, nonprofit association where area leaders address regional issues affecting the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. COG’s membership is comprised of more than 300 elected officials from 24 local governments, the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, and U.S. Congress. www.mwcog.org
About the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area consists of seventeen colleges and universities in the District of Columbia and contiguous counties in Maryland and Virginia that serve nearly 290,000 students. Consortium colleges and universities represent every sector of nonprofit higher education, creating strength through its diversity of institutions. www.consortium.org
About the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. Today, Metrorail serves 91 stations and has 118 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital seven days a week with more than 1,600 buses at 10,687 bus stops. On a typical average weekday, Metrorail and Metrobus provide more than one million trips to visitors and residents traveling in the tri-jurisdictional region. www.wmata.com
About the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region
Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, established in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, transitions to a Joint Task Force to conduct Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities as needed. The command, based at Fort Lesley J. McNair, is part of a collaborative, regional team focused on safeguarding the National Capital Region and stands ready to respond and to support DoD and local partners during response to natural or man-made disasters. mdwhome.mdw.army.mil
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