DC Mayor Embarks on Taxpayer-Funded Trip to Las Vegas for 'Economic Mission'

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is going to Las Vegas for a business trip after attending a golf tournament in Georgia. She will be at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) to bring more stores to DC. This trip is organized by the Washington, DC Economic Partnership (WDCEP) to attract retailers to the city. Since 1999, Mayor Bowser and the Partnership attending ICSC have led to big grocery stores and retail shops like Lidl, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Apple, Target, Burlington, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema opening new stores in DC. The mayor wants to make sure all parts of DC have great amenities. Programs like the Food Access Fund and the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund have helped, but more work is needed for better access and fairness. The trip will focus on filling these gaps and supporting the growth of Downtown. Bowser faced criticism for using taxpayer money to go to the Masters golf tournament in Georgia. She will be traveling with a team of 14 for the ICSC event in Las Vegas. Despite a decrease in crime from last year, residents feel less safe in DC neighborhoods. The mayor's office said she was invited to the Masters tournament by people working on city development. Bowser is willing to travel anywhere to help the city. The trip to Las Vegas aims to attract more businesses to DC and promote it as a great place for investments. Bowser defended the taxpayer-funded trip to the golf tournament, saying it cost around $5,000 to $6,000 per person. She believes in promoting DC globally as the sports capital.