The Consortium and the Board of Trade' Community Business Partnership have signed a memorandum of understanding to offer the technical expertise of the universities' top business students to businesses in the District of Columbia.

Students are helping neighborhood businesses in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 with marketing, technology training, accounting, business operations, human resources and other technical needs. Howard and Georgetown University students were first to experience this program in conducting a market analysis for Ward 7 businesses - Powell's Manufacturing Industries, Affordable Supply and Funeral Service Merchandise. Business students, universities and neighborhood businesses who would like more information about this economic development initiative should contact Pamela McKee at the Community Business Partnership at pamelamckee@bot.org or 202.857.5971.