March 15, 2024
Dear Washingtonians,
Just over a year ago, we launched our five-year economic strategy, which we call our Comeback Plan. In 2024, we have good signs that our efforts to change spaces, fill spaces, and bring people back to our city and neighborhoods are working.
- DC was recently named the top place in the country to pursue a tech career and a top city for women-owned business openings.
- People are moving to DC: Last year, our population increased by 8,000 people and we ranked 7th among all states in terms of population percentage growth.
- We added over 12,000 jobs in 2023, including a strong rebound in the hospitality and leisure industries. That was in part because tourism came back strong too.
- Enrollment in our public schools is up two years in a row.
- Metro has made its own strong comeback: Last month, Metro’s trains and buses had a 20% ridership increase over February 2023 and weekend ridership has fully recovered.
These are all good indicators that our interventions are producing results. And earlier this week, we launched another innovative intervention: a Housing in Downtown program that that will help us add 15,000 new residents Downtown through office-to-housing conversions. We currently lead the nation in office-to-housing conversions, and the Housing in Downtown program will drive even more progress.
Now, we keep pushing — we will continue to put interventions in place that allow us to invest in our people, to increase our prosperity, and to make sure that prosperity is inclusive.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 Registration for the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) 2024 spring programming is now open. DPR is offering new and continuing programs, including:
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Junior Lifeguard Academy for young people ages 12-19 who are interested in swimming and lifeguarding but need to sharpen their skills.
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MLS Go is a new soccer league based in Wards 7 and 8 in collaboration with Major League Soccer (MLS).
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Music and Dance programs, including ballet and hip hop.
- Tennis, Women's Tennis, and Pickleball.
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Spring Break Camps which take place during DCPS Spring Break.
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Senior-centered programs, including cardio, aquatics, slow-pitch softball, and a walking club.
Registration for spring programming is available on a first-come, first-served basis. DPR offers programming at reduced rates to qualifying DC residents. Complete the online reduced rates application here. Residents must be approved for reduced rates by DPR before registering for programs.
For more information and to view a complete list of DPR programs, visit DPRprograms.com.
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 Mayor Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) are encouraging DC residents interested in higher education to apply for three tuition support programs: DC Futures, the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) and the Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program.
Applications for all three programs opened on Monday, March 11 and will close on Friday, September 6.
Applications for DC Futures, DCTAG, and the Mayor’s Scholars program require information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine student eligibility for most applicants. Because the U.S. Department of Education is releasing this year’s FAFSA in mid-March instead of January, as was the case in prior years, OSSE has shifted the timeline for applications to DC Futures, DCTAG, and Mayor’s Scholars to accommodate this change.
Learn more HERE.
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 On Wednesday, March 27, join Mayor Bowser as she honors outstanding women of DC for their commitment, leadership, and excellence across all eight wards.
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When: Wednesday, March 27 @ 6:00 p.m.
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Where: Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street NW)
- Register to attend HERE
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 The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 20. As you plan your visit to the cherry blossoms, learn more about the many events planned between March 20 and April 14, including:
Learn more at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/all-events.
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