The NPU-V Small Business Improvement Grant (NPU-V SBIG) program will help strengthen local businesses in certain neighborhoods located in Southwest Atlanta by providing grants toward improvements intended to make small businesses more attractive to customers.

Qualified business or property owners in the Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Summerhill neighborhoods can receive between $3,000 and $10,00 for eligible exterior and interior renovations. Applications are available here and due May 3, 2019.

NPU-V SBIG aims to enhance the appearance of commercial areas in the neighborhoods of Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown to help new and established businesses attract customers and increase revenues, attract more businesses to the area, and build safer, more attractive and stable neighborhoods. The funding has been made available by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Eligible applicants must be occupied by an operating business licensed by the City of Atlanta that have a minimum 3-year lease. A minimum of 50% of NPU-V SBIG funds must be used for exterior improvements to the property. Additional application requirements and eligible uses of funds can be found are located within the NPU-V SBIG guidelines and application.

The program is part of Invest Atlanta’s larger efforts in the City of Atlanta’s southside neighborhoods. The Campbellton Road Small Business Improvement Grant program assisted three small businesses along the southwest Atlanta commercial corridor. In addition, Invest Atlanta recently announced the hiring of Erika Smith as the Southside Community and Economic Development Manager. These announcements come after years of investing in these neighborhoods through our small business loan programs, multifamily housing financing, and homeownership incentives.