Our Southside neighborhoods of Atlanta are home to an estimated 3,300 businesses, which generate $3 billion in revenue and employ more than 43,000 people. 

Hence we are so excited to join with Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, along with our economic and community partners, to launch new initiatives aimed at supporting businesses on Atlanta’s Southside.

These efforts include the introduction of Erika Smith as our first Southside Community & Economic Development Manager, as well as new small business improvement grant programs with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Wells Fargo and Rebuilding Together Atlanta.

As we launch these initiatives alongside our ongoing small business support, we’re also doing something I don’t believe has ever been done by the City of Atlanta. We’re saying, “Thank you” to the 26,000 businesses operating in our city.

As part of the ongoing campaign, we sent a digital thank you note from Mayor Bottoms to every business in Atlanta. I’m happy to report the responses have been great. One business owner this kind note back to us:

I have been in business for 46 years and this is the first time I have received such a note. Bully for you.

We’re also visiting businesses to hand deliver “thank you” cards and chat with them about their needs. (Check out our most recent visits on social media with the hashtag #ATLInBusiness.)

We’ve also recently launched ATLInBusiness.com with the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, Welcoming Atlanta, and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative. This tool will help small businesses to plan, start, grow and manage a business. It’s a one-stop-shop to provide businesses with easy access to information on resources available through the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, the Small Business Administration, and others.

As we head into the holiday season, we have one simple message to all our city’s businesses … Thank You for choosing Atlanta!